UNIVERSITY    OF    CALIFORNIA    PUBLICATIONS. 


University  of  California— College  of  Agriculture, 

AGRICULTURAL  EXPERIMENT  STATION. 


LANDS  OF  THE  COLORADO  DELTA 
IN  THE  SALTON  BASIN. 


FIELD   AND   LABORATORY   WORK 

By  FRANK  J.  SNOW. 

DISCUSSION 

By  E.  W.  HILGARB  and  G.  W.  SHAW. 


BULLETIN  No.  140. 

(Berkeley,  Febniary,  1902.) 


SACRAMENTO: 
a.  j.  johnston,    :    :    :    :    :    superintendent  state  printing. 

1902. 


BENJAMIN  IDE  WHEELER,  Ph.D.,  LL.D.,  President  of  the  University. 

EXPERIMENT  STATION  STAFF. 

E.  W.  HILGARD,  Ph.D.,  LL.D.,  Director  and  Chemist. 

E.  J.  WICKSON,  M.A.,  Horticulturist. 

W.  A.  SETCHELL,  Ph.D.,  Botanist. 

R.  H.  LOUGHRIDGE.  Ph.D.,  Agricultural,  Geologist  and  Physicist.    (Alkali  Investigations.) 

C.  W.  WOODWORTH,  M.S.,  Entomologist. 

M.  E.  JAFFA,  M.S.,  Assistant  Chemist.    (Foods,  Soils,  Fertilizers.) 

G.  W.  SHAW,  M.A.,  Ph.D..  Assistant  Chemist.    (Soils,  Sugars.) 

GEORGE  E.  COLBY,  M.S.,  Assistant  Chemist.    (Fruits,  Waters,  Insecticides.) 

J.  BURTT  DAVY,  Assistant  Botanist. 

LEROY  ANDERSON,  M.S. A.,  Dairy  Husbandry. 

A.  R.  WARD,  B.S.A.,  D.V.M.,  Veterinarian,  Bacteriologist. 

E.  H.  TWIGHT,  B.SC,  Diplome  E.  A.M.,  Instructor  in  Viticulture. 

W.  T.  CLARKE,  Assistant  Entomologist. 

C.  H.  SHINN,  B.  A.,  Inspector  of  Stations. 

C.  A.  COLMORE,  B.S.,  Clerk  to  the  Director. 


EMIL  KELLNER,  Foreman  of  Central  Station  Grounds. 

JOHN  TUOHY,  Patron, 

}■   Tulare  Substation,  Tulare. 
JULIUS  FORRER,  Foreman, 


R.  C.  RUST,  Patron, 

y   Foothill  Substation,  Jackson. 
JOHN  H.  BARBER,  Foreman,  ) 

S.  D.  MERK,  Patron,       ) 

}•   Coast  Range  Substation,  Paso  Robles. 
J.  W.  NEAL,  Foreman,   \ 

S.  N.  ANDROUS,  Patron,  )  (  Pomona. 

J-   Southern    California   Substation,   ■< 
J.  W.  MILLS,  Foreman,      )  {  Ontario. 

V.  C.  RICHARDS,  Patron,  ) 

v   Forestry  Station,  Chico. 
T.  L.  BOHLENDER,  ?n  charge,  ) 

ROY  JONES,  Patron,      ) 

>   Forestry  Station,  Santa  Monica. 
WM.  SHUTT,  Foreman,  \ 

Bulletins  and  reports  of  this  Station  will  be  sent  free  to  any  citizen  of  the  State , 
upon  application. 


' 


NOTICE. 


Attention  is  called  to  the  fact  that  certain  errors  occur  in  Table  I, 
page  7,  of  Bulletin  140  of  this  Station.  The  errors  have  been  cor- 
rected in  the  following  reprint,  and  you  are  requested  to  insert  it  in 
the  proper  place  in  the  said  bulletin. 


—  / 


TABLE  I.     Preliminary  Results  of  Alkali   Leachings. 


Locality. 


1. 

2. 

3 
4 
5 
6 

7 
8. 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
16 
17. 
18 
19 
20- 


Percent  ages. 


Sul-      Carbon-     Chlo- 
rates,      ates.         rids. 


Total,  >     Sulfates. 


Pounds  per  Acre  in  4  Feet. 

I 
Carbon  - 


.196 
.068 
.129 
.162 
.072 
.294 
.042 
.631 
.179 
.207 
.173 
.172 
.141 
.142 
.080 
.056 
.129 
.152 


.013 
.010 
.012 
.007 
.010 
.008 
.009 
.013 
.009 
.010 
.010 
.014 
.011 
.012 
.007 
.009 
.009 
.009 


.094 
.043 
.082 
.045 
.019 
.496 
.002 
.424 
.162 
.027 
.056 
.044 
.164 
.137 
.035 
.001 
.005 
.154 


.303 
.121 
.223 
.214 
.101  I 
.798  I 
.053  | 
1.068  I 
.350  I 
.244  ! 
.239 
.230 
.316 
.291 
.122 
.066 
.  143 
.315 


ates. 


Chlorids. 


Average  in  4  fpet.. 
Minimum  in  4  feet 
Maximum  in  4  feet 


31,360 

10,880 
20,640 
25,920 
11.520 
47,040 
6,720 
100,960 
28,640 
33,120 
27,680 
27,520 
22,560 
22,720 
12,800 
8,960 
20,640 
24,320 

484,000 

26,888 

6,720 

100,960 


2,080 
1,600 
1,920 
1 , 1 20 
1,600 
1,280 
1,440 
2,080 
1,440 
1,600 
1,600 
2,240 
1,760 
1,920 
1,120 
1,440 
1,440 
1,440 


15,040 
6,880 

13,120 
7,200 
3,040 

79,360 
320 

67,840 

25,920 
4,320 
8,960 
7,040 

26,240 

21,920 

5,600 

160 

800 

24,640 


29,120 
1,612 
1,120 
2,240 


318,400 

17,688 

160 

79,360 


Total. 


48,480 
19,360 
35,680 
34,240 
16,160 

127,680 
8,480 

170,880 
56,000 
39,040 
38,240 
36,800 
50,560 
46,560 
19,520 
10,560 
22,880 
50,400 

831,520 
46,195 

8,480 
170,880 


It  will  be  observed  that  this  preliminary  examination  indicates  the 
average  total  alkali  in  the  first  four  feet  of  soil  to  be  about  ly  per  cent. 
or  46,000  pounds  per  acre;  about  three-eighths  of  which  is  common  salt 
and  about  three-fifths  glauber  salt.  Further,  the  enormous  variation 
from  8480  to  170,880  pounds  of  soluble  salts  per  acre — from  a  soil 
which  will  not  injure  citrus  fruits  to  one  that  would  be  repugnant  to 
all  but  the  hardiest  of  alkali  plants — shows  that  the  land  is  quite 
"spotted,"  some  localities  being  too  highly  charged  with  alkali  to  admit 
of  any  successful  agricultural  operations,  while  others  do  not  exceed  in 
amount  the  salts  found  in  some  of  the  better  agricultural  regions  of  the 
State.  This  condition  suggested  forcibly  the  need  of  a  detailed  local 
examination  of  the  region. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

University  of  California,  Davis  Libraries 


http://www.archive.org/details/landsofcoloradod140hilg 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


GENERAL  DATA  REGARDING  THE  SALTON  BASIN.. 5 

Successive  efforts  at  investigation 6 

Preliminary  results  of  alkali  leachings  ;  table 7 

Exploration  by  Mr.  F.  J.  Snow 7 

Variability  of  alkali  in  soils 8 

THE  SOILS  OF  THE  BASIN 8 

Classification 8 

Physical  Characteristics _• 8 

Physical  tests  and  analyses  of  the  soils;  table 9-10 

Percolation  of  water;  diagram 11 

Practical  deductions 12 

Capillary  power ;  diagram 13 

Chemical  Composition  '. 15 

Analyses  of  Colorado  alluvial  soils 15 

Intrinsic  fertility  of  these  soils 16 

The  Soluble  Salts  in  the  Soils 17 

Importance  of  the  alkali  factor  in  soils  of  arid  regions 17 

The  nature  of  alkali _. 18 

Alkali  Salts  in  the  Salton  Basin 19 

Sections  of  New  River  and  Salton  River  banks 19 

Determination  of  alkali  in  these  river  sections;  tables 20 

Summary  of  salts  in  the  river  sections;  tables  and  diagrams 21-23 

General  conclusions  from  these  sections __ 24 

Soils  of  the  General  Surface  of  the  Basin  _ 25 

Physiographic  features 25 

New  River,  alkali  in  soils  contiguous  to;  table 27 

Salton  River,  alkali  in  soils  contiguous  to;  table. ._ 31 

Soluble  Salts  in  Yuma  Alfalfa  Lands;  table 33 

General  Summary 33 

IRRIGATION  WATER 34 

Analyses  of  Colorado  River  and  Lake  Waters;  table 35 

Manner  of  Irrigating  Alkali  Lands;  diagram 36 

Drainage 39 

VEGETATIVE  CHARACTERISTICS  OF  THE  SALTON  BASIN 40 

General  Considerations 40 

Annotated  List  of  Plants  Collected:  by  J.  Burtt  Davy 41 

CLIMATE  OF  THE  SALTON  BASIN 45 

CROPS  FOR  THE  SALTON  BASIN  LANDS 45 

Possible  Crops ._ 46 

Toleration  of  Alkali  Salts  by  Certain  Crops;  table 49 

January  Crop' Reports  Received  from   Actual  Settlers 50 


M  A^ 


OF   THE 


SOUTHERN  PART 


SALTON  BASIN 


SAN  DIEGO  COUNTY 


CALIFORNIA 


LANDS  OF  SALTON  BASIN,  SOUTHERN  CALIFORNIA. 


The  Salton  Basin,  in  the  southeastern  portion  of  the  Colorado  Desert, 
within  the  State  of  California,  is  a  depression  about  290  feet  below  sea 
level  at  its  lowest  point,  where  thick  saline  deposits  have  given  rise  to 
important  enterprises  in  mining  common  salt.  While  the  northern 
portion  of  this  basin  is  largely  covered  with  drifting  sand,  surrounding 
many  tracts  that,  with  irrigation,  produce  (as  at  Indio)  abundant  and 
early  crops,  the  southern  portion,  here  being  considered,  is  to  a  consider- 
able extent  covered  with  alluvial  deposits  originally  derived  from  the 
Colorado  River;  as  is  clearly  indicated  by  their  nature,  as  well  as  by 
the  fact  that  at  times  of  exceptional  high  water  (such  as  occurred  in 
1890)  the  river  overflows  into  the  basin  through  two  channels,  named 
respectively  the  Salton  and  New  rivers.  In  the  year  mentioned,  the 
overflow  was  so  copious  as  to  flood  the  salt  deposits,  and  for  nearly  a 
year  there  was  a  lake  where  doubtless  originally  the  waters  of  the  Gulf 
of  California  received  the  entire  flow  of  the  Colorado.  The  alluvial 
deposits  of  the  river  finally  cut  off  the  upper  end  of  the  Gulf,  so  that 
now  a  large  area  of  alluvial  country,  or  delta,  extends  between  the  Salton 
Basin  and  the  present  head  of  the  Gulf.  The  part  of  this  delta  which 
slopes  toward  the  north  into  the  Salton  Basin  forms  the  subject  of  the 
present  discussion.  The  subjoined  map,  reduced  from  sheets  furnished 
by  the  "Imperial  Land  Company,"  will  serve  to  elucidate  the  general 
features  of  the  region,  a  portion  of  which  has  been  surveyed  in  sufficient 
detail  to  give  the  contour  lines  indicating  the  slope,  which,  as  will  be 
noted,  is  considerable  enough  to  render  both  irrigation  and  drainage 
easy;  in  general,  toward  a  depression  designated  as  Mesquit  Lake,  which 
can  also  serve  as  a  back-water  reservoir  from  Salton  River  and  the 
main  canal.  To  the  eye,  however,  most  of  the  country  appears  as  a 
level  plain,  except  where  the  channels  of  the  streams  form  breaks.  Its 
natural  vegetation  is  very  scanty;  mesquit  is  found  scattered  over  the 
plains,  with  locally  some  poplars  on  the  lower  ground;  also  low  shrubby 
and  herbaceous,  partly  saline,  growth.  On  the  higher  ground  vegeta- 
tion is  generally  very  sparse,  sometimes  entirely  absent  over  consider- 
able tracts;  locally  there  are  areas  in  which  certain  plants  are  massed. 

As  to  the  thickness  of  these  delta  deposits,  the  only  evidence  as  yet 
available  is  from  a  boring  at  Imperial  made  to  determine  the  feasibility 
of  obtaining  artesian  water  in  this  region.  This  boring  was  carried  to 
the  depth  of  685  (?)  feet,  without  penetrating  anything  different  from 


the  various  materials  found  at  or  near  the  surface,  and  without  finding 
water.  It  is  thus  apparent  that  the  Gulf  was  originally  of  very  consider- 
able depth.  The  level  of  the  Salton  salt  deposit  at  the  works  is  stated 
by  Gannett  to  be  262  feet  below  sea  level. 

Successive  Efforts  at  Investigation. — The  attention  of  the  Station 
Director  was  first  called  to  the  agricultural  possibilities  of  this  southern 
portion  of  the  Colorado  Desert  in  1893,  by  a  request  on  the  part  of 
several  gentlemen  who  proposed  to  take  out  water  from  the  Colorado 
River  near  Yuma,  for  the  purpose  of  irrigating  this  region;  and  also 
proposed  to  fit  out  an  expedition,  properly  equipped,  in  order  that  he 
might  explore  the  country  in  question  personally.  Financial  difficulties 
intervening  prevented  the  carrying-out  of  the  plan  at  that  time;  but  a 
few  samples  of  water  from  the  lakes,  and  of  soils  superficially  taken, 
proved  that  the  latter  were  very  similar  to  that  of  the  immediate  bottom 
of  the  Colorado  River,  which  previous  analyses  had  already  shown  to  be 
of  extraordinary  intrinsic  fertility.* 

A  similar  effort  was  made  in  1896-7  by  other  parties,  who  also  sup- 
plied to  the  Station  some  soil  and  water  samples  for  examination. 
These  but  corroborated  the  previous  conclusions,  with  the  added  sugges- 
tion that  a  considerable  proportion  of  alkali  salts  was  present  in  soils  as 
well  as  in  waters;  so  that  a  thorough  examination  of  the  region  in  this 
respect  was  manifestly  called  for. 

It  was  not  until  1900,  however,  that  the  present  organization,  the 
"  Imperial  Land  and  Water  Company,"  took  active  steps  toward  the 
construction  of  an  irrigation  canal,  and  renewed  the  proposition  that  the 
land  should  be  explored  under  the  supervision  of  this  Station,  in  order 
to  determine  definitely  its  adaptation  to  general  or  special  agriculture 
and  horticulture.  The  first  step  was  the  taking  of  soil  samples  over  a 
considerable  portion  of  the  district  by  an  employe  of  the  company, 
in  substantial  accordance  with  printed  directions  furnished.  These 
samples,  unfortunately,  could  not  be  very  accurately  located,  in  the 
absence  of  a  regular  land  survey;  but  they  furnished  a  fair  general  idea 
of  the  character  of  the  lands,  and  further  emphasized  the  necessity  of  a 
more  definite  and  detailed  examination,  in  order  to  determine  what 
portions  of  the  territory  under  the  canal  might  or  might  not  be  con- 
sidered suitable  for  general  farming  purposes. 

To  indicate  the  general  idea  obtained  from  the  analysis  of  these  twenty 
preliminary  samples,  the  results  have  been  calculated  so  as  to  show  the 
soluble  salts  (alkali)  to  the  depth  of  four  feet,  taking  the  average  alkali 
content  found  in  the  soils  to  the  depth  to  which  each  sample  had  been 
taken,  and  assuming  that  this  represents  approximately  the  saline  con- 
dition for  each  foot. 


*See  report  of  California  Experiment  Station  for  1882. 


/    — 


TABLE  I.     Preliminary  Results  of  Alkali  Leachings. 


Percentages. 


Locality. 


1... 

2... 

S... 

4... 

5... 

6... 

7... 

8... 

9... 
10..  . 
11... 
12... 
13... 
16... 
17... 
18... 
19... 
20... 


Sul- 
fates. 


.196 
.068 
.129 
.162 
.072 
.294 
.042 
.631 
.179 
.207 
.173 
.172 
.141 
.142 
.080 
.056 
.129 
.152 


Carbon-    Chlor- 
ates,        ids. 


Pounds  Per  Acre  in  4  Feet. 


Total,    j   Sulfates. 


Carbon 
ates. 


Chlorids.       Total 


.013 
.010 
.012 
.007 
.010 
.008 
.009 
.013 
.009 
.010 
.010 
.014 
.011 
.012 
.007 
.009 
.009 
.009 


.094 
.043 
.082 
.045 
.019 
.496 
.002 
.424 
.162 
.027 
.056 
.044 
.164 
.137 
.035 
.001 
.005 
.154 


.303 
.121 
.223 
.214 
.101 
.798 
.053 
L.068 
.350 
.244 
.239 
.230 
.316 
.291 
.122 
.066 
.193 
.315 


Average  in  4  feet... 
Mininium  in  4  feet 
Maximum  in  4  feet 


31,360 
10,880 
20,640 
25,920 
11,520 
47,040 

6,720 
96,960 
28,640 
33,120 
27,680 
27,520 
18,560 
22,720 
12,800 

8,960 
20,640 
24,320 


575,320 

28,766 

6,720 

96,960 


2,080 
1,600 
1,920 
1,120 
1,600 
1,280 
1,440 
2,080 
1,440 
1,600 
1,600 
2,240 
1,760 
1,920 
1,120 
1,440 
1,440 
1,440 


29,120 
1,456 
1,120 
2,240 


15,040 
6,880 

13,120 
7,200 
3,040 

79,360 
160 

16,960 

25,920 
4,320 
8,960 
7,040 

26,240 

21,920 

5,600 

160 

800 

6,160 


248,880 

12,444 

160 

79,360 


48,480 
19,360 
35,680 
34,240 
16,160 

127,680 
8,280 

170,880 
56,000 
39,040 
38,240 
40,800 
50,560 
46,560 
19,520 
10,560 
30,880 
50,400 


853,320 
42,666 

8,280 
170,880 


It  will  be  observed  that  this  preliminary  examination  indicates  the 
average  total  alkali  in  the  first  four  feet  of  soil  to  be  about  one  per  cent, 
or  40,000  pounds  per  acre;  about  two-sevenths  of  which  is  common  salt 
and  about  two-thirds  glauber  salt.  Further,  the  enormous  variation 
from  8,280  to  170,880  pounds  of  soluble  salts  per  acre — from  a  soil 
which  will  not  injure  citrus  fruits  to  one  that  would  be  repugnant  to 
all  but  the  hardiest  of  alkali  plants — shows  that  the  land  is  quite 
"  spotted,"  some  localities  being  too  highly  charged  with  alkali  to  admit 
of  any  successful  agricultural  operations,  while  others  do  not  exceed  in 
amount  the  salts  found  in  some  of  the  better  agricultural  regions  of  the 
State.  This  condition  suggested  forcibly  the  need  of  a  detailed  local 
examination  of  the  region. 

Exploration  by  Mr.  F.  J.  Snow. — The  Director  being  unable  to  visit 
the  region  personally,  Mr.  F.  J.  Snow,  at  the  time  assistant  in  the 
laboratory  of  agricultural  chemistry,  was  deputed  to  undertake  the 
work  of  exploration,  and  the  field  work  was  carried  out  by  him  with 
the  effective  assistance  and  at  the  expense  of  the  company,  during  the 
three  weeks  of  Christmas  vacation,  1900-1901.  The  examination  of  the 
numerous  samples  it  was  found  necessary  to  collect  occupied  over  four 
months  of  his  time  during  1901;  and  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Snow  from 
the  staff  of  the  Station  at  the  beginning  of  the  session  of  1901-2  una- 
voidably delayed  the  report  of  results  until  the  vacancy  thus  created 
could    be   acceptably  filled.     Almost   the   entire   laboratory  work  had 


10 


o 

CO 

a 

o 

-t-> 
O 

PQ 


,2     * 
«*  it  c 

f-l    CP    >- 


iC        — t 


Q 
'O 

d 


kO 

U5 

CO 
CO 

s 

CO 
CN 

C5 

CN 

oo 

CM 

T— 1 

i— ( 

H 

OS 

So 

3* 


o   M       .  i> 

o     -  r<o  cm 

^   co'W^  §5 
o 


CM 


CO 


CO 


HO 


lO 


lO        i—l 
CN         CO 


iO 


CN 

05 


CO 
kO 


CO 


iO  t}< 


CO 


O 
CO 

03 


&H  E-1 


.  CP     O 
'CO     fc 


5    « 

o 

•—I 

ce 

CO 


05 
Q> 
03 

>> 

■— I 

< 


05 


w 
►J 

M 


-t-e^co 


cm 

co 

CN 

6 


CN 

CO 


CD 


CO 

CD 


CO 


00 


IO 
CN 


s-Ts3 

°    ^    M    H 

3  C 


CO 

CO 

CD 


00 

I— 


CO 
CN 


CZ> 


CD 
"<* 

CO 


CO 
CN 


a 


CN 


O 


Otf  -co 

O      „  -co    cm 

w     COW     .     Cl 


03  6 

0^       "      ~ 


*•«>& 


c3  o3  a> 
o.ft  ft 
ft£§ 


cp    0 

CO     fc 


CM 
CO 
CM 


O 


CO 


CN 


CN 

CN 


CO 

CD 


OS 

CO 
CO 


CD 
CO 


CO 

CO 


CO 

o 

CN 


tH 

T* 

CO 

1—1 

CN 

CN 

0 

10 

CN 

CN 

CO 

CN 

IO 

CO 

05 

CN 


O 
OI 


CD 


CN 
CN 


CD 


CO 


05 


O 


00 

02 


ex 


1-1 
>d 


00 

CD 

CD 
CN 


O 
iO 


CO 
CN 


CN 

CO 

CO 


CO 


o 

00 


CO 
CD 

'35 
05 


a> 

+j 

03 

O 

u 

CP 

■<-> 

o 
03 

03 


o3 

O 


c 

03 

a> 

OS 

s- 
c3 

O 
o 

>> 


c3 
cS 

c 


s 

s 

m 

<l> 

^ 

fe 

CP 

CO 

s 

O 
O 

>j 

Sh 

> 


4) 
CO 

f-> 
c3 

O 
Q 


CD 


S    S    fe 


o 

o 


o 

CO 


o 

XO 


ft 

c 

CD 


O 
CO 


CN 


CD 


£ 

CN 

o 


CN 


P5        0 


O 


CD 
CO 

o 


2 

a 
10 

CN 

O 


CD 

T— I 

o 


CN        t^         CD        iO        CD 

I>-        "*<        CO        CN         t-t 
OOOOO 


o 

O 

<p   . 

— /*0 

§§ 

03  41 
j^CO 

as' 

03 


S     B 


e    s 


CN 

CO 


CD 


C 

E 

CD 


CN 

CO 


X 


ft 

g 


CD        00 


CN 


■* 


ft 

G 
iO 


10 

CN 

V 

0 


CO 
CN 
O 

o 


IO 
CN 

V 


O    co 
D.  ° 

-o  g 

03    * 

O     »H 

♦*    03 

I-H 

s  -g, 

^    03 
o3    <y 

3  .2 


(/J 

••-' 

«<H 

c3 

O 

O 

go 

0 
CO 

0 

ft 

3 

O 

Co 

ft 

fii 

O 

33    j^^ 


o 
c 

CO 


a  S 

8  >> 

^^ 

03     <D 

H   g 

fl  ^ 

s  ® 

ft 

0) 


ft 

s 

03 
X 

CP 

CP 

EH 


i-H      .^ 

o3    »h 
o    a> 


s  ^ 


ft 

>H 

03 
3 

^> 

o" 

CO 

> 

>. 

^ 

be  ^ 

•ft  n 

cp   J 
^3 


o3 
ft 
cs 

o 

c 

03 
^3 
0  d 

CP    f- 


2 


'O 


55 
+h 

CO 


CP 

ft 

03 


c3 


o 
ft 

CP 


CO 

PJ 

g 

"^f 

03 

0) 

03 

(N 

T3 

a 

"3 

<1> 

a) 

0 

rH 

O 

Cl) 

a 

3 

c 

0 

m 

0 

CO 

0 

^5 

Cv 

0 

0 

gj 

+-> 

Co 

CTj 

CP 

1-1 

9 

+^ 

!s 

CO 

ft 

CJ 

3 

g 

3 

■(J 

0 

ft 

CO 

et 

M 

a 

S-. 

CO 

CO 

ft 

s3 

-O 

A 

X 

jj 

a 

-w 

w 

f — 1 

oj 

^( 

* 

xi 

0 

a3 

O 

CO 

a) 

p 

CO 

y. 

r^ 

tn 

ft 

■H 

O 

CO      >> 
CP     r-J 

I     ^ 
I      O 

g5 

-t-  cp 
cp 


CP  r-> 

fe  03 

03  =*-i 

-  O 

I  - 

cp  +-t 

ft 
X 
cp 


3 

I 


—    11    — 

An  examination  of  this  table  shows  that  the  silt  soil  contains  about 
60  per  cent  of  silt  of  medium  to  coarse  grade,  which  imparts  the  distinc- 
tive character  to  the  soil.  It  also  carries  from  10  to  15  per  cent  of  very 
fine    silt,    which   in    some   respects    might  act 

.,      ,  t  mi  Diagram  I.    Rate  of  percola- 

similarly  to  clay  in  respect  to  capillary  power.  tion  in  12  hours 

The  soil  characterized  as  clay  carries  about  30      clay  goil  silt  soilB 

per  cent  of  clay  proper,  and  over  60  per  cent  of  3  12 

very  fine  silt;  making  over  90  per  cent  of  ex- 
tremely fine  matter,  which,  when  compacted 
(as  much   of  it  is),   makes  a  material  almost  *—       ins" 

impervious  to  water.  The  truth  of  this  latter 
statement  is  well  illustrated  by  the  results  obtained  in 
the  percolation  experiments  (diagram  I);  and  it  is 
obvious  that  a  material  of  this  character  can  not  be 
considered  suitable  for  irrigation  culture,  or,  in  fact,  blns' 
for  any  of  the  usual  crops  under  any  practically  pos- 
sible treatment.  It  is  too,  "  fat"  even  for  potter's  clay, 
for  which  its  high  plasticity  would  otherwise  render 
it  suitable. 

As  is  natural,  intermixtures  of  these  two  extreme 
materials  in  various  proportions  are  frequently  found, 
often  in  shaly  masses  resembling  the  hard  clay,  but  12  ins. 
softening  readily  in  water  and  quite  capable  of  suc- 
cessful cultivation  if  freed  from  excess  of  alkali.  The 
"hand  test,"  by  wetting  with  water  and  working 
between  the  palms  of  the  hands,  and  the  observation 
of  their  percolative  power,  will  generally  serve  to 
distinguish  these  shaly  clay-loams  from  the  intractable 
hard  clay  of  the  New  River  banks. 

18  ins. 

Percolation  of  Water. — In  irrigated  regions  the 
rapidity  with  which  soils  can  be  wetted  is  a  question 
of  prime  importance  to  the  farmer;  and  with  a  view 
of  ascertaining  the  rate  at  which  water  will  be  taken 
by  each  of  the  two  types  of  soils  here  discussed,  the 
following  experiments  were  undertaken.  Experi- 
ments No.  1  and  No.  2  were  conducted  with  the  silt 
soil,  and  No.  3  with  the  clay  soil.  No.  2  was  designed 
as  a  check  upon  No.  1,  and  was  conducted  at  a  dif- 
ferent time;  but  all  essential  conditions  were  made  as 
similar  as  possible.  In  each  experiment  the  same 
constant  depth  of  water  was  maintained  over  the  soil- 
column  by  means  of  a  Marriotte  apparatus.  In 
experiment  No.  1  the  tube  used  was  one  and  one  29  ins 
half  inches  in  diameter  and  thirty-eight  inches  in 
length,  and  contained  1,700  grams  of  soil.       In  experiment  No.  2  (he 


-  12  — 

diameter  of  the  tube  was  two  inches,  and  the  length  thirty-two  inches, 
the  weight  of  the  soil  being  1,400  grams.  In  each  case  the  soil  was 
well  settled  in  the  tube.  Experiment  No.  1  was  begun  at  6:20  a.  m., 
April  15th,  and  ended  at  11:25  p.  m.  of  the  same  day.  Experiment 
No.  2  was  begun  at  5:20  a.  m.,  May  2d,  and  ended  at  9:14  p.  m.  of 
the  same  day.  The  rate  of  wetting  is  graphically  presented  in  the 
accompanying  exhibits  (diagram  I),  in  which  the  depth  reached  in 
twelve  hours  is  shown. 

Practical  Deductions. — In  soils  as  strong  in  alkali  as  these  samples, 
the  rate  of  wetting  becomes  even  a  more  important  factor  for  considera- 
tion than  in  non-alkali  regions.  Wherever  the  upper  layers  of  the 
soil  are  highly  charged  with  the  salts,  the  first  thing  needful  to  be 
done — aside  from  thorough  underdrainage — is  that  of  heavy  irrigation 
by  flooding,  in  order  to  wash  the  excess  of  alkali  from  the  upper 
layers  to  the  lower,  and  thus  reduce  the  amount  in  the  upper  four 
to  six  feet  of  soil  below  the  limit  of  endurance  for  the  various  crops. 
(For  a  discussion  of  the  "Tolerance  of  Alkali  by  Certain  Cultures," 
the  reader  is  referred  to  Bulletin  No.  133  of  this  Station.)  If  an 
excessive  amount  of  water  has  to  be  used  in  order  to  accomplish  this 
washing-down,  or  if  the  water  has  to  be  kept  upon  the  ground  an  undue 
length  of  time,  there  is  the  constant  attendant  danger  of  "swamping" 
the  soil,  and  thus  putting  it  out  of  good  physical  condition;  and  again, 
in  a  soil  in  which  the  lime  carbonate  runs  as  high  as  seems  to  be  the 
case  in  these  soils,  there  is  the  further  danger  of  the  development  of 
black  alkali,  thus  adding  to  the  already  serious  condition  of  many 
of  the  sampled  areas.  If,  however,  the  soil  be  of  such  a  nature  as 
to  preclude  the  possibility  of  wetting  it  thoroughly  to  a  depth  of  five 
or  six  feet  within  a  reasonable  length  of  time  under  irrigating  condi- 
tions, then  if  it  be  placed  under  cultivation,  there  may  be  expected  a 
considerable  increase  of  alkali  near  the  surface  during  the  first  three  or 
four  years. 

Comparing  these  two  soils  it  was  found  that  under  these  experiments 
the  silt  soil  became  wet  to  the  depth  of  three  feet  within  18  hours,  while 
in  the  case  of  the  clay  soil  it  required  165  days  for  the  water  to  reach 
the  same  depth;  a  rate  entirely  prohibitive  of  successfully  handling  this 
soil  under  its  highly  saline  conditions.  Further,  the  experiment  indi- 
cates that  this  clay  soil  is  so  slow  in  taking  moisture  from  above  that  in 
a  period  of  ten  days  it  would  only  become  wet  to  a  depth  of  seven 
inches,  a  rate  too  slow  for  agricultural  operations. 

In  the  silt  soil,  the  conditions  for  successful  treatment  under  irrigation 
are  much  more  favorable.  Carrying,  as  it  does,  a  heavy  amount  of 
alkali  within  the  first  three  feet,  the  same  method  of  heavy  flooding  and 
subsequent  deep-furrow  irrigation  would  have  to  be  resorted  to;  and  a 


13  — 

study  of  the  data  shows  that  if  the  water  will  carry  a  considerable  por- 
tion of  the  salts  to  a  depth  of  four  or  five  feet  within  a  reasonable  time, 
the  conditions  may  be  considered  as  favorable  as  in  many  other  well- 
cultivated  portions  of  the  arid  regions.  The  experiments  show  that 
this  may  be  accomplished  within  a  period  of  18  to  36  hours,  a  time 
perfectly  compatible  with  agricultural  practice.  The  particular  thing 
here  shown  should  be  distinctly  borne  in  mind;  namely,  that  it  is  as 
important  for  intending  settlers  to  be  as  careful  to  avoid  the  compact  clay 
soils  as  those  carrying  excessive  amounts  of  alkali. 

In  connection  with  the  silt  soil,  in  view  of  its  looseness  of  texture,  its 
often  highly  saline  condition,  and  the  heavy  percentage  of  lime  carbon- 
ate which  it  carries,  attention  should  be  directed  to  the  great  liability 
to  seepage  from  the  higher  ground,  especially  where  near  the  main  canal, 
to  the  lower  lands.  Instances  of  this  are  so  common  in  irrigated  regions 
that  forewarned  should  be  forearmed.  Sooner  or  later  there  will  arise 
the  necessity  of  drainage  canals  to  keep  the  seepage  water  from  "  swamp- 
ing" the  lower  land.  With  this  underflow  of  water  there  is  a  greater  or 
less  accumulation  of  alkali  salts  in  the  lower  areas,  which,  taken  in  con- 
nection with  the  high  natural  lime  content  of  the  soils,  is  almost  sure  to 
result  in  the  formation  of  considerable  black  alkali;  a  condition  which 
may  already  be  seen  in  a  few  isolated  localties  where  there  has  been  a 
periodic  overflow  from  New  River.  One  such  is  indicated  on  the  map 
by  the  number  25,  and  covers  about  200  acres. 

In  dealing  with  the  grades  of  soil  intermediate  between  the  two  ex- 
tremes here  tested,  it  will  be  advisable  to  determine  first  of  all  the  rate 
at  which  water  will  penetrate  them  to  the  depth  of  not  less  than  four, 
preferably  five  or  six,  feet.  This  will  at  once  indicate  whether  the  alkali 
salts  can  be  successfully  leached  out  of  the  land  on  a  practical  scale. 
The  test  can  be  made  either  by  digging  a  pit,  alongside  of  which  water 
is  put  on  the  land;  or  else  by  following  the  water  down  by  means  of  the 
soil  auger. 

Capillary  Power. — The  height  to  which,  and  the  rapidity  with  which 
water  will  rise  by  capillary  movement  (wick  action)  in  soils  from 
underground  or  sub-irrigation  water,  and  the  ease  of  its  general  trans- 
mission in  all  directions,  is  a  matter  of  vital  importance  in  agricultural 
operations,  particularly  in  arid  regions.  While  both  the  height  and  the 
rapidity  of  transmission  are  to  a  large  degree  dependent  upon  the 
physical  nature  of  the  soils,  yet  it  is  reasonably  certain  that  there  are 
certain  chemical  factors  involved  as  well.  Inasmuch  as  this  capillary 
power  is  dependent  upon  the  size  of  the  spaces  between  the  particles 
constituting  the  soil,  varying  inversely  as  this  space,  capillary  ascent  is 
less  in  sandy  than  in  clay  soils.  In  the  former  the  rise  is  more  rapid, 
since  there  is  less  frictional  resistance  to  the  motion  of  the  water;  but 


14  - 

there  is,  also,  much  less  surface  tension,  and  while  the  rise  is  rapid  the 
water  may  not  ascend  more  than  a  few  inches. 

As  between  silts  and  clays,  such  as  we  have  to  deal  with  in  this  dis- 
cussion, the  conditions   are  quite  different  and  merit  some  attention, 


** 

$§sS5i2^ 

3 

* 

§ 

s? 

3 

1 

5 

^ 

=s      s 

< 

» 

1 

1 

, 

«v 

— 

\\ 

\ 

N 

Q 

n 

V 

r~ 

o 
3 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

•i 

\ 

t 

S 

\ 

\ 

t 

\ 

\ 

s 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

« 

■ 

•s 

1 

I 

$ 

1 

\ 

X. 

i 

tj     >    O    4->        — »    *> 

U  v.        c  c  5   c 

5\-;  £  ~  »- 

R|     ]    "5 
3     fc 

! 

<s 

i 

1 

i 

B 

1 

— 

~r^ 

_^__ 

\ 

o 
M 

r 

- 

- 

\ 

-- 

-- 

- 

s 

■i 

!» 



— 

\ 

9 

-- 

— 

" 

? 

a 

P 

3 

<t 

js> 

v/ 

A 

<- 

A 

% 

1 

a 

1 
1 

t 

!» 

s 

a 

o 

i 

_ 

i 

h 

3; 

i 

; 

a 

i 

1 

> 

» 

> 

-i 

i 

B 

i 

f 

1 

- 

5; 

s 

i 

! 

4 

i 

Q 

3 

'; 

> 
* 

i 

i 

i 

0 

1- 

H 

st^uf 


particularly  as  these  silt  soils  are  so  prevalent  in  the  arid  regions.  The 
soils  used  in  this  experiment  were  from  the  same  lot  as  those  used  in 
the  percolation  experiments  and  in  the  complete  chemical  and  mechan- 
ical analyses  described  above.  The  soils  were  tapped  into  the  tubes, 
which  were  then  placed  upon  a  perforated  support  in  a  water  reservoir. 


—  15  — 

The  results  are  shown  graphically  by  means  of  both  curves  and  vertical 
columns.  In  the  case  of  the  curves,  the  verticals  represent  equal  heights 
in  inches;  the  horizontals  show  the  length  of  time  in  days.  In  the 
columns,  to  facilitate  comparison,  the  points  reached  in  each  at  the  end 
of  the  several  periods  of  time  are  connected  by  lines. 

The  particular  point  to  attract  attention  in  comparing  these  two  soils 
is  the  great  difference  in  the  rapidity  of  the  rise  of  water.  In  the  case 
of  the  silt  soil,  in  seven  minutes  it  had  ascended  2  inches,  in  eighteen 
minutes  4  inches,  in  one  hour  7  inches,  in  one  hour  and  forty-three 
minutes  10  inches;  while  it  took  the  clay  eleven  hours  and  seventeen 
minutes  to  draw  the  water  to  a  like  height,  or  approximately  ten  times 
as  long.  This  rate,  however,  diminishes  somewhat  more  rapidly  in  the 
silt  as  the  water  column  ascends,  than  it  does  in  the  clay.  This  rapid 
rise  of  water  in  soils  of  a  somewhat  similar  character  was  noticed  some 
years  ago,  and  commented  upon  in  the  annual  report  of  this  Station  for 
1894.  In  the  case  of  the  alluvial  soil  from  Gila  River,  near  Yuma,  the 
water  rose  9^  inches  in  one  hour;  at  the  end  of  twelve  hours  it  had 
reached  a  height  of  24  inches,  and  at  the  end  of  the  first  day  it  had 
reached  the  height  of  27^  inches;  while  the  silt  soil  here  under  con- 
sideration reached  the  height  of  30  inches  in  a  like  time.  The  clay  soil 
of  the  region  must  be  looked  upon,  then,  as  very  slow  in  its  capillary 
action  when  compared  with  the  lighter  alluvial  silt,  the  ratio  for  the 
first  few  hours  being  about  1:10. 

CHEMICAL    COMPOSITION    OF    THE    SOILS. 

In  a  previous  report*  of  this  Station,  analyses  of  three  samples  of 
soil  from  this  region  are  given,  and  in  the  discussion  of  the  results  it 
was  stated:  "It  will  be  noted,  as  a  common  factor  of  these  three  soils, 
that  they  are  highly  calcareous;  they  show  the  presence  of  the  carbonate 
of  lime  by  effervescence  with  acids.  The  Colorado  River  soil  is  very 
rich  in  potash;  the  Gila  soil  much  less  so,  yet  very  adequately  sup- 
plied; the  amount  of  soda  found  does  not  indicate  much  alkali  con- 
tamination. The  Colorado  soil  has  a  good,  but  not  high,  supply  of 
phosphoric  acid;  the  Gila  soils  both  show  an  unusually  high  percentage 
of  that  ingredient.  The  Colorado  soil  has  a  good  supply  of  humus; 
the  Gila  soil  is  notably  deficient  therein  for  a  bottom  soil." 

A  complete  chemical  analysis  of  each  of  the  types  here  under  con- 
sideration was  made  by  Mr.  Snow,  and  the  subjoined  results  obtained. 
The  analysis  of  other  soils  from  the  same  region,  the  discussion  of 
which  appears  above,  is  included  for  the  sake  of  comparison. 

*  Report  of  California  Experiment  Station,  1890,  p.  50. 


16 


TABLE  III.    Analyses  of  Colorado  Alluvial  Soils. 


Clay  Soil. 


Silt  Soil. 


No.  2324.  1   No  2R25. 


Colorado 

River, 

California, 

Bottom 

Soil. 

No.  506. 


Gila  River. 

Arizona, 

Bottom 

Soil. 

No.  1195. 


Gila  River, 
Arizona, 
Bottom 
Subsoil. 

No.  1197. 


Coarse  materials  >0.5E 
Fine  earth 


Analysis  of  Fine  Earth. 

Insoluble  matter 

Soluble  silica 

Potash  (K,0) 

Soda(Na.O) 

Lime  (CaO)._ 

Magnesia  (MgO)._ 

Br.  ox.  of  manganese  (Mn304). 

Peroxid  of  iron  (Fe203 ) 

Alumina  (A1203 ) 

Phosphoric  acid  (P205) 

Sulfuric  acid  ( S03 ) 

Carbonic  acid(C02) 

Water  and  organic  matter 


Total 


Humus 

"      Ash 

"      Nitrogen,  per  cent  in  humus.. 

"      Nitrogen,  per  cent  in  soil 

Available  phosphoric  acid  (citric  acid 

method) 

Hygroscopic  moisture  (absorbed    at 

15°  C.) 

Water-holding  power 


100.00 


38.65 

15.79 

.76 

.34 

4.35 

1.24 

.10 

6.15 

10.52 

.23 

.49 

5.30 

15.84 


99.76 

.38 

1.01 

18.42 

.07 

.012 

5.75 
74.39 


100.00 


62.67 

10.93 

.74 

.29 

3.75 

1.68 

.01 

3.71 

4.26 

.22 

.36 

2.32 

8.93 


100.00 


58.57 

5.33 

1.18 

.16 

8.67 
2.97 


100.00 


57.90 

13.49 

.66 

.25 

6.26 

.66 


.03 
14 
,38 
13 
,15 
,82 
,34 


99.87 

.65 

.69 

10.92 

.07 

.01 

2.98 
46.26 


100.87 

.75 
1.15 


.08 
5.57 
7.48 
.23 
.03 
2.63 
4.98 


100.00 


64.83 

11.85 

.67 

.39 

4.33 

1.97 

.03 

6.27 

4.27 

.17 

.05 

3.56 

1.14 


100.22 

.38 
.43 


99.83 


9.26 

48.40 


4.91 


3.48 
42.30 


Intrinsic  Fertility  of  these  Soils. — In  a  general  review  of  these  soils, 
one  is  impressed  at  first  by  the  general  similarity  in  composition, 
bearing  out  the  statements  made  several  years  ago  and  quoted  above, 
viz:  that  the  intrinsic  fertility  of  the  soils  of  this  region  is  high.  The 
lime  content  of  all  three  is  high;  and  the  fact  that  this  lime  is  present 
largelv  in  the  form  of  a  carbonate,  as  indicated  by  the  high  per  cent  of 
carbonic  dioxid,  also  indicates  a  high  general  availability  of  the  other 
critical  elements.  In  the  case  of  the  clay  it  will  be  noted  that  there  is  a 
much  larger  portion  of  soluble  matter  than  in  the  silt,  which  is  further 
shQwn  by  its  higher  alkali  content,  discussed  later  in  this  bulletin.  In 
this  latter  respect  both  the  silt  and  soil  No.  506  have  the  advantage  of 
the  clay.  This  fact  is  also  borne  out  by  the  higher  per  cent  of  both 
soda  and  sulfuric  acid  present  in  the  clay  when  compared  with  the 
other  soils.  There  is  about  two  thirds  as  much  soluble  silica  in  the  silt 
as  in  the  clay.  As  to  potash,  all  three  soils  are  very  rich,  there  being 
nearly  four  times  as  much  as  the  average  for  soils  of  humid  regions. 
In  this  respect  the  soils  must  be  considered  as  permanently  fertile.  On 
the  side  of  phosphoric  acid  there  is  little  difference  in  the  two  types, 
both  having  an  excellent  supply,  exceeding  that  of  soil  No.  506  quite 
materiallv:    still,  the   latter   could    not   be  considered   deficient.     The 


—  17  — 

humus  content  is  good — better  in  the  silt  than  in  the  clay — especially 
as  the  nitrogen  content  of  the  humus  is  high.  The  water-holding  power 
is  greater  by  30  per  cent  in  the  case  of  the  clay  than  in  the  silt,  which 
might  be  expected  on  account  of  the  difference  in  the  nature  of  the  two 
soils.  All  three  of  these  soils  must  thus  be  ranked  as  exceptionally 
good  in  their  supplies  of  plant  food. 

THE    SOLUBLE    SALTS    IN    THE    SOIL. 

Importance  of  the  Alkali  Factor  in  Arid  Regions. — In  the  selection  ot 
lands  in  arid  regions  it  is  highly  essential  that  more  than  the  physical 
nature  and  general  fertility  of  the  soils  be  considered.  There  are  factors 
entering  into  the  soil  problems  of  such  regions  which  are  entirely 
foreign  to  those  of  humid  climates,  and  which,  in  many  cases,  are  far 
more  complicated.  A  soil  may  possess  all  the  elements,  both  physical 
and  chemical,  of  intrinsic  fertility,  and  still  be  entirely  unsuited  to 
agricultural  operations  under  irrigated  conditions;  points  which,  in  a 
humid  region,  might  be  considered  very  favorable  to  a  soil  may,  under 
irrigation,  if  the  alkali  condition  of  the  undersoil  be  not  accurately 
known,  cause  the  ruin  of  the  land.  Being  unaware  of  these  essential 
differences,  settlers  from  the  humid  region  are  not  infrequently  led  to 
select  land  which  is,  or  may  become,  entirely  unsuited  to  any  kind  of 
crop-growing.  It  is  important,  then,  that  the  truth  should  be  placed 
before  them  in  these  matters,  not  only  that  they  may  avoid  financial 
loss,  but  also  that  the  evil  results  sure  to  follow  such  unwise  selections 
may  not  cast  reflections  upon  the  State.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  not 
at  all  uncommon  for  people  temporarily  residing  in  arid  regions  to 
make  broad  and  sweeping  condemnations  of  lands  which  experience  and 
a  thorough  understanding  of  arid  conditions  will  not  bear  out. 

Alkali  lands,  when  at  all  adapted  to  agriculture,  are  intrinsically  of  the 
very  richest  character;  and  may,  as  a  rule,  be  considered  as  exceptionally 
fertile  upon  the  mineral  side  when  compared  with  the  humid-region 
soils.  In  order  to  realize  these  advantages,  however,  care  is  needed  in 
handling  such  lands,  and  ignorance  of  the  true  condition  may  cause 
very  serious  financial  loss,  both  to  the  individual  and  to  the  State.  A 
notable  case  is  that  of  the  Fresno  plateau  region — the  divide  between 
the  San  Joaquin  and  Kings  rivers — where  there  were  no  signs  of  alkali 
when  the  region  was  settled  and  for  some  time  thereafter.  Gradually 
small  spots  of  alkali  appeared  in  the  older  settlements,  enlarging  from 
year  to  year  as  the  point  of  tolerance  was  passed  for  the  several  crops, 
finally  causing  the  death  of  vines  and  trees  to  such  an  extent  as  to 
attract  serious  attention.  It  has  only  required  a  thorough  understanding 
of  the  conditions  to  point  out  an  application  of  the  rational  treatment 
of  drainage,  combined  with  the  use  of  gypsum,  when  needed,  as  a 
remedy  for  a  trouble  that  threatened  to  overrun  the  country. 
2— Bul.  140 


—  18  — 

The  alkali  factor  should  always,  therefore,  receive  careful  attention 
as  to  both  surface  and  undersoil  conditions.  Three  points  demand 
consideration  in  this  connection,  viz: 

1.  The  soluble  salt  content  of  the  soil  itself; 

2.  The  salt  content  of  the  available  irrigation  water; 

3.  The  condition  of  the  surface  and  sub-drainage  in  connection  with 
the  nature  of  the  soil. 

The  Nature  of  Alkali. — The  nature  and  kinds  of  alkali  have  been 
repeatedly  treated  of  in  the  several  publications  of  this  Station,  but  it  is 
deemed  best  to  again  state  here  that,  "broadly  speaking,  it  may  be  said 
that,  the  world  over,  alkali  salts  usually  consist  of  three  chief  ingredients, 
namely,  common  salt,  glauber  salt,  (sulfate  of  soda),  and  salsoda  or  car- 
bonate of  soda.  The  latter  causes  what  is  popularly  known  as  "  black 
alkali,"  from  the  black  spots  or  puddles  seen  on  the  surface  of  lands 
tainted  with  it,  owing  to  the  dissolution  of  the  soil  humus;  while  the 
other  salts,  often  together  with  epsom  salt,  constitute  "  white  alkali," 
which  is  known  to  be  very  much  milder  in  its  effect  on  plants  than  the 
black.  In  most  cases  all  three  are  present,  and  all  may  be  considered 
as  practically  valueless  or  noxious  to  plant  growth.  With  them,  how- 
ever, there  are  almost  always  associated,  in  varying  amounts,  sulfate  of 
potash,  phosphate  of  soda,  and  nitrate  of  soda,  representing  the  three 
elements — potassium,  phosphorus,  and  nitrogen — upon  the  presence  of 
which  in  the  soil,  in  available  form,  the  welfare  of  our  crops  so  essen- 
tially depends,  and  which  we  aim  to  supply  in  fertilizers.  The  potash 
salt  is  usually  present  to  the  extent  of  from  5  to  20  per  cent  of  the  total 
salts;  phosphate,  from  a  fraction  to  as  much  as  4  per  cent;  the  nitrate, 
from  a  fraction  to  as  much  as  20  per  cent.  In  black  alkali  the  nitrate 
is  usually  low,  the  phosphate  high;  in  the  white,  the  reverse  is  true."* 

With  regard  to  the  relative  injuriousness  of  the  component  salts  it 
may  be  said  that  the  glauber  salt,  unless  present  in  excessive  amounts,  is 
comparatively  innocuous  and  need  not  be  considered  a  serious  barrier 
to  agricultural  operations  when  conducted  in  a  rational  manner.  The 
carbonate  of  soda,  constituting  the  active  ingredient  in  the  so-called 
"black  alkali,"  exerts  a  corrosive  action  on  the  root  crown  of  the  plant, 
and  in  many  cases,  especially  in  heavy  soils,  tends  to  destroy  their  tilth. 
But  by  the  use  of  gypsum,  it  can  readily  be  converted  into  the  relatively 
innocuous  sulfate.  Experience  on  our  substation  tracts,  as  well  as  else- 
where, shows  that  any  considerable  amount  of  sodium  chlorid  (common 
salt)  is  fully  as  much  to  be  feared  as  the  more  corrosive  carbonate, 
since  it  can  not  be  neutralized  or  changed  within  the  soil,  but  must  be 
bodily  removed  by  drainage. 


*  Bulletin  No.  128,  California  Experiment  Station,  p.  13. 


—  19  — 

ALKALI    SALTS    IN    THE    SALTON   BASIN. 

In  considering  only  the  amounts  of  alkali  salts  in  the  soils  of  this 
region,  we  find  the  outlook  not  altogether  encouraging.  While  there  is 
some  land  not  too  strongly  impregnated  to  produce  even  now,  without 
any  special  precautions,  good  crops  of  cereals,  especially  barley,  also 
alfalfa,  and  some  of  the  hardier  orchard  and  small  fruits,  there  is  a 
very  large  proportion  of  the  lands  so  strongly  charged  that,  without 
due  care,  crops  could  be  secured  only  for  two  or  three  years,  and  in 
some,  none  at  all.  As  to  quality,  however,  it  is  notable  that  there  is  in 
the  great  majority  of  cases  a  great  predominance  of  the  relatively 
innocuous  sulfates — glauber  salt,  epsom  salt,  and  throughout,  a  certain 
proportion  of  potash  sulfate  also,  ranging  in  the  determinations  thus 
far  made  from  two  to  over  ten  per  cent  of  the  total  salts.  Carbonate  of 
soda  is  quite  subordinate,  because  of  the  presence  of  gypsum  throughout 
the  materials.  Common  salt  is  rather  abundant  near  the  surface,  but 
only  in  small  supply  below  the  first  three  feet,  until  a  depth  of  twenty 
feet  is  reached,  as  is  shown  in  the  sections  given  below.  Nitrates  appear 
to  be  present  throughout,  to  an  extent  varying  from  1,000  to  1,800 
pounds  per  acre  (.025  to  .044  per  cent)  in  four  feet  depth;  increasing 
from  the  surface  downward,  contrary  to  the  usual  rule.  The  alkali  is, 
therefore,  generally  speaking,  of  the  mildest  "  white  "  type,  and  it  is  not 
surprising  that,  as  the  crop  reports  given  below  show,  seed  germinates 
and  a  luxuriant  growth  of  weeds  is  found  even  where  the  alkali  salts  are 
bodily  blooming  out  along  the  ditches.  It  would  thus  seem  that,  on  the 
whole,  the  hard  clay  is  a  more  serious  obstacle  to  the  utilization  of  these 
extremely  rich  lands  than  are  the  alkali  salts,  so  far  at  least  as  the 
lighter  and  more  pervious  soil  qualities  are  concerned. 

Sections  of  New  River  and  Salton  River  Banks. — Below  will  be  found 
tables  and  diagrams  showing  the  results  of  analyses  of  samples  taken  in 
vertical  sections  from  the  banks  of  both  the  Salton  and  New  rivers. 
These  samples  were  taken,  as  indicated  in  the  tables,  to  the  depth  of  22 
feet  9  inches,  and  22  feet  respectively,  the  banks  in  each  case  having 
been  dug  away  for  20  feet  horizontally  in  order  to  get  truly  representa- 
tive samples,  avoiding  the  effects  of  concentration  of  salts  by  evapo- 
ration. These  sections  are  of  especial  importance  as  indicating  the 
general  disposition  of  the  soluble  salts  in  the  substrata  of  the  valley; 
they  consequently  elucidate  best  the  chances  of  getting  rid  of  alkali 
by  drainage,  or  by  leaching  downward  on  the  land  itself.  The  tables 
show  the  data  obtained  from  the  two  stream  banks,  the  nature 
of  the  materials  being  given  alongside  of  the  same. 


20  — 


TABLE  IV.     Section  from  New  River  Bank:  22  Feet,  Locality  No.  33. 


Percentages. 


CO 

p 

t— • 

P 

CD 

00 

o 
g 

o* 
o 
p 
p 

CD 

w 

.916 

.008 

1.321 

.010 

1.164 

.008 

.736 

.016 

.556 

.016 

.572 

.012 

.593 

.007 

.286 

.007 

.371 

.013 

.376 

.010 

.631 

.012 

.661 

.013 

.522 

.013 

.584 

.009 

.572 

.014 

.258 

.007 

.232 

.008 

.195 

.008 

.257 

.007 

1.188 

.010 

1.130 

.008 

1.244 

.012 

1.143 

.005 

1.162 

.007 

o 

p- 


Pi 


o 


Physical  Characteristics  of  Each 
Thickness. 


Pounds  per  Acre. 

X 

O 

'  O 

H 

d 

P 

£T 

o 

>-i 

p 

o 

o 

p 

CD 

00 

p 
p 

<rH 
CD 

oo 

.092 
.265 

.096 

.060 
.037 
.032 
.036 
.249 
.018 
.014 

.076 

.016 

.029 
.011 
.078 
.015 
.025 
.021 
.003 
.006 
.068 
.026 
.036 
.063 


1.016 
1.596 

1.268 

.812 
.609 
.616 
.636 
.542 
.402 
.400 

.719 

.690 

.564 

.604 

.604 

.280 

.265 

.224 

.267 

1.204 

1.206 

1.282 

1.184 

1.232 


8  in.     Surface  compacted  clay;  I 
crumbles  easily.  t 

12  in.     Compacted    clay  ;    crura- » 
bles  easily.  ) 

12  in.    Very  tough  clay ;  will  not  j 
1  break  nor  crumble.         j 

..4  in.  Very  hard  ;  breaks  in  cakes.. 
.12  in.  Compacted,  but  not  as  hard. 
.12  in.  Very  hard;  breaks  in  cakes. 
.12  in.  Very  hard;  breaks  in  cakes. 
.12  in.  In  large  chunks ;  very  hard . 
.12  in.  Notashard;  more  silt;  mixed. 
.  6  in.  Notashard;  more  silt;  mixed. 
j  12  in.  Hard  compact  clay;  caked  ) 
in  chunks.  f 

12  in.    Hard  compact  clay;  caked  j 


1 

..  12  in. 
..12  in. 
..  6  in. 
..  12  in. 
._  12  in. 
.12  in. 
..  12  in. 
.  12  in. 
.  12  in. 
.12  in. 
.12  in. 
.  12  in. 


in  chunks. 
Compact;  some  silt 
Compact;  more  silt 
Compact;  more  silt 
Loose  silt  and  sand 
Loose  silt  and  sand 
Loose  silt  and  sand 
Loose  silt  and  sand 

Very  compact 

Very  compact 

Very  compact 

Very  compact 

Very  compact 


24,427 

52,840 

46,560 

9,813 
22,240 
22,880 
23,720 
11,440 
14,840 

7,520 

25,240 

26,440 

20,880 
23,360 
10,240 
10,320 
9,280 
7,800 
10,280 
47,520 
45,200 
49,760 
45,720 
46,480 


213  |    2,653 
400  i  10,600 


320 

214 

640 
480 
280 
280 
520 
200 

480 

520 

520 
360 
280 
280 
320 
320 
280 
400 
320 
480 
200 
280 


3,840 

800 
1,480 
1,280 
1,440 
9,960 
720 
280 

3,040 

640 

1,160 

440 

1,560 

600 

1,000 

840 

120 

240 

2,720 

1,040 

1,440 

2,540 


27,293 
63,840 

50,720 

10,827 
24,360 
24,640 
25,440 
21,680 
16,000 
8,000 

28,760 

27,600 

22,560 
24,160 
12,080 
11,200 
10,600 
8,960 
10,680 
48,160 
48,240 
51,280 
47,360 
49,280 


Sand  and  water  at  22  feet. 


TABLE  V.     Section  from  Salton  River  Bank:  22  Feet  9  Inches,  Locality  No.  34. 


195 

.007 

.080 

.282 

603 

.012 

.329 

.944 

356 

.008 

.038 

.402 

233 

.008 

.025 

.266 

095 

.007 

.006 

.107 

181 

.008 

.013 

.202 

129 

.011 

.003 

.143 

121 

.009 

.009 

.143 

164 

.010 

.012 

.186 

225 

.008 

.003 

.236 

.260 

.005 

.007 

.272 

i 

.467 

.007 

.009 

.483 

.331 

.009 

.028 

.368 

.417 

.009 

.026 

.452 

207 

.008 

.011 

.226 

315 

.012 

.015 

.342 

.998 

.008 

.012 

1.018 

.372 

.008 

.006 

.386 

.193 

.014 

.074 

.281 

292 

.020 

.044 

.356 

.132 

.008 

.008 

.148 

092 

.010 

.089 

.191 

416 

.008 

.168 

.592 

686 

.009 

.285 

.980 

771 

.010 

.739 

1.520 

12  in.  Silty;    some   clay  some-) 

what  compacted.  j 

12  in.  Similar    to     above,     but  | 

more  compact.  <j 

6  in.    Like  first  foot 

12  in.     Like  first  foot 

12  in.    Like  first  foot 

12  in.  Very  loose,  silty  soil; 

little  sand. 

12  in.  Very  loose,  silty  soil;  a) 

little  sand.  \ 

j    6  in.  Silt ;  some  clay ;  slightly  j 

}  compact.                           j 

12  in.  Silt;   compact  breaks  to) 

silt  soil.  j 

12  in.    Silt;  some  clay 

j  12  in.  Silt;    some    clay    some-) 

(  what  compacted.             j 

j   3  in.  Silt;    some    clay    some-j 

(  what  compacted.             j 

j  12  in.  Silt ;    some    clay    some 

(  what  compacted. 

..  12  in.    Silt;  very  loose 

..  12  in.    Silt;  very  loose 

..  12  in.    Silt;  very  loose 

..   6  in.     Clay;  compact 

..12  in.    Silt;  some  clay 

..  12  in.     Silt;  some  clay 

..  12  in.  Silt;  lumps  crumble  easily. 

..  12  in.    Silt;  very  fine 

.12  in.     Silt;  very  fine 

..12  in.    Clay;  compact 

..  12  in.     Clay;  compact. 

.12  in.    Clay;  compact 


7,800 

280 

3,200 

24,120 

480 

13,160 

7,120 

160 

760 

9,320 

320 

1,000 

3,800 

270 

240 

7,240 

320 

520 

5,160 

440 

120 

2,420 

180 

180 

6,560 

400 

480 

9,000 

320 

120 

10,400 

200 

280 

4,670 

70 

90  ! 

13,240 

360 

1,120 

16,680 

360 

1,040 

8,280 

320 

440 

12,600 

480 

600 

19,960 

160 

240 

14,880 

320 

240 

7,720 

560 

2,960. 

11,680 

800 

1,760 

5,380 

320 

320  j 

3,680 

400 

3,560  : 

16,640 

320 

6,720  i 

27,440 

360 

11,400  | 

30,840 

400 

29,560 

11,280 

37,760 

8,040 

10,640 

4,280 

8,080 

5,720 

2,860 

7,440 

9,440 

10,880 


4,830 


14,720 

18,080 

9,040 

13,680 

20,360 

15,440 

11,240 

14,240 

5,290 

7,640 

23,680 

39,200 

60,800 


—  21 


TABLE  VI.    Showing  Summary  of  Soluble  Salts  in  the  River  Sections. 

(Pounds  per  acre.) 


Salton  River  Silt. 

New  River  Clay. 

Sul- 
fates. 

Carbon- 
ates. 

Chlor- 
ids. 

Total. 

Sul- 
fates. 

Carbon- 
ates. 

Chlor- 
ids. 

Total. 

For  Total  Depth :   22  ft.  9  in. 

For  Total  Depth :    22  ft. 

Total 

Average  per  foot. .. 
Min.  in  any  foot... 
Max.  in  any  foot... 

281,864 

12,812 

3,680 

30,840 

7,348 
334 
200 
800 

73,590 

3,345 

120 

29,560 

362,802 
16,491 

4,280 
60,800 

663,806 

30,173 

7,800 

50,780 

8,580 
390 
200 
640 

52,402 

2,291 

120 

10,600 

722,788 

32,854 

8,960 

63,840 

For  First  4  Feet. 

For  First  4  Feet. 

Total 

50,044 

12,511 

6,560 

24,120 

1,376 
344 

295 

480 

18,240 

4,560 

620 

13,160 

69,660 
17,415 
7,460  : 
37,160  ! 

155,888 
38,972 
22,240 
50,780 

1,788 
447 
346 
640 

13,372 
5,343 
1,480 
8,347 

177,040 
44,260 
24,360 
59,133 

Average  per  foot .. . . 
Min.  in  any  foot... 
Max.  in  any  foot. ._ 

For  the  Next  6  Feet. 

For  the  Next  4  Feet. 

Total 

42,678 
7,113 
5,000 

10,400 

1,992 
332 
295 
400 

1,818 
303 
120 
480 

46,560 
7,760 
5,720 

10,880 

109,320 
18,225 
11,440 
23,720 

2,340 
390 
280 
520 

20,070 

3,345 

720 

9,960 

131,760 

Average  per  foot  .. 
Min.  in  any  foot... 
Max.  in  any  foot... 

21,960 
16,000 
25,440 

In  comparing  the  column  of  total  salts,  it  is  at  once  apparent  that  the 
New  River  materials  are  much  more  heavily  charged  with  salts  than 
are  those  on  Salton  River.  Looking  closer  at  the  nature  of  these 
materials,  we  find,  moreover,  that  while  the  Salton  profile  shows  mostly 
silts  and  sands,  which  make  an  easily  worked  loam  soil,  the  material 
of  the  New  River  bank  is  prevalently  a  very  close-grained,  fine  clay, 
which  is  practically  impervious  to  water,  as  shown  in  the  percolation 
experiment  previously  recorded.  (See  p.  11.)  In  the  Salton  profile  we 
also  find  occasional  layers  of  this  clay;  and  inspection  shows  that  in 
nearly  all  cases  this  clay  is  more  heavily  charged  with  salts  than  is  the  silt 
and  sand.  Thus  this  clay,  which  wets  with  great  difficulty  and  when 
wet  becomes  extremely  tough  and  plastic,  is  a  very  unwelcome  soil 
ingredient,  as  it  is  incapable  of  tillage  and  will  be  penetrated  only  by 
such  hardy  roots  as  those  of  the  mesquit  and  greasewood,  and  possibly 
by  those  of  the  saltbushes.  It  is  quite  unlikely  that  other  useful  trees 
will  be  able  to  force  their  roots  through  this  uncanny  material,  and 
settlers  will  quite  early  find  from  experience  what  is  quite  evident  from 
these  experiments :  that  these  clay  lands  are  ill  adapted  to  agricultural 
operations,  even  where  a  few  feet  of  silt  forms  the  surface. 

There  are,  as  stated,  many  grades  of  transition  between  this  pure, 
tough  clay  and  the  silt,  which  is  eminently  suitable  as  a  soil  material, 
and  when  mixed  with  a  moderate  amount  of  the  clay  forms  excellent 


22 


lpr*r 

.,— 

"- 

• 

, 

1— - . 

: 

1    '"'"        ' 

<! 

;        I 

ir 

. 

,.. 

.., 

- 

■- 

1      r 

r 

.7 

l>      4 

' 

i ; _j_ 

S        H 

S 

;           , 

s 

1 

s 

l_ 

« — ^  — 

i 

it    : 

3     " 

t 

1      : 

i         J 

1 

'         (T 

1 . 

s     * 

;  ""I 

J.    fl 

t     - 

A 

■  '      f 

L. 

~7\^ 

!     "t 

t"          ' 

i  5     /  .*.. 

!     - 

Al 

£?£v-  Z- 

1 

u     ~ 

— ^iltj 

1  T  T" 

ft 

* 

i 

."  ^lE3/ 

■  n 

\ 

Sd2±l  , 

'      7 

f 

q  \Z_     i^^ 

j      T 

4-      - 

>' 

T 

1 

«      1 

1 

j 

~f 

»      | 

i     " 

T                             4 

T- 

J     : 

J 

it 

" 

J 

* 

t~ 

■j] 

r 

«      ! 

r 

r 

V 

if 

a    . 

i 

< 

if 

if 

i 

T 

T 

8 

T 

^ 

Tp 

~ ]T^ 

i\ 

*> 

T 

v 

1 

A- 

j 

\ 

9 

■       A- 

X 

\ 

7* 

V 

L 

A= 

(j 

\ 

\ 

• 

1 

/ 

' 

\ 

/ 

/ 

j, 

/ 

I 

0 

/ 

/ 

J 

n      " 

/ 

\ 

7 

\ 

/ 

V 

\ 

/ 

s 

4 

\ 

/' 

* 

i 

/ 

1 

> 

\ 

1 
i 

s 

. 

A 

M 

s 

^ 

q 

— . 

i 

'. 

f 

"l" 

pj 

li 

-1 

' 

/ 

..ii 

s, 

/ 

4 

* 

- 

j 

■<                ' 

^ 

- 

\ 

/ 

/ 

0 

v; 

\ 

/ 

-3  ,               1 

"5 

;  .    ' 

1 

' 

1        "1 

% 

1 

1           1 

Vi  ' 

/ 

i 

-    itii 

h 

/ 

'      'v.           \*'' 

& 

-   -    - 

' 

.' 

i 

> 

1 

'■,( 

p\J 

5  . 

E#. 

J-?' 

J.              s'-"                5 

.— ., —  -~ 

s-^-. 

_l" 

wj 

VJ' 

*7! 

Kl 

m 

7* 

' 

* 

■It 

u    H 

si     s*    , 

a 

* 

6 

k 

^ 

i1 

•1 

§ 

Tj 

V 

•a 

J 

J 

^ 

^2 

02 


> 

5 


0» 

55 


OS 


3 
.a 


CD 


23  — 


s 

_ 

% 

SI              -r 

'            ! 

T    ? 

^ 

r  $ 

^ 

■" 

5 

J 

s 

^ 

* 

;; 

' 

j 

?         JZ             4t 

1         5 

T 

*                         + 

I                     V 

s 

> 

N 

■> 

- 

it 

^> 

t                     ^ 

55 

S 

H 

v" 

*i           i 

O 

4 '    N 

i           +    +        : 

3      * 

1    1 

^ 

1 

~T            * 

•s 

'                              JI 

> 

4-                T 

vt                  5 

Si 

£ 

ih        « 

A         -4A1-4- 

~vl 

h      2         ± 

5          ^ 

\            I] 

^  —1 

£     ^ 

1 

^            i 

< 

£       *4£ 

i 

j4       _j< 

*tt 

T 

t 

*      Ttt                                   it          - 

1 

t    di* 

T 

t  -y      ' 

f  -j  M 

T 

t   44   ^ 

s    k.L3 

it                      4                           M 

^   /     x 

"9                   ,J 
0         *<| 

1 

-i  'i   ' 

*.      K       3 

1 

1  'DlLti 

^                 1 

i 

4  *L£    ^ 

6I13|. 

T  H       *            4 

X3IS 

t*        11 

i                                                  1  .1    1              1 

tf  a     i? 

fj  * 

•*<                     1 

-   r-                 x      i 

hf      ^L           «| 

^ttlttt                          ^t 

iT_  ,Ji 

*  itit 

.                                                 _J 

N'    -.-L           > 

^itlt 

t            -     t 

4      ^? 

a  it3t 

__          t         *               _           t                                1 

^         -«             i 

_     -.itzi       _      t                  4 

%    s4 

§        4 

_      ,1  t$±  __     £                 I 

I    ^^     § 

t  .-"ft                   XI 

_    J  yXS.    t      X               t 

t  & 

«  tiittt                it 

It  VIX  ..S                  t 

t  ^       ? 

^  tf  *i\_ 

_        IBt        ,_        IL    ^A               f 

t   4 

,s      Ml      \\ 

.  T  E     i  J.      \a  24         t 

J.       ? 

■  IX^X     x        it 

£4:    vr  it      p,#j        q 

1 

*  r:fc>S              it 

i  z       r^  /lh      j 

X 

^  jt:t~  -5 

IT/             JLZ           A  _AL      X 

*  tit  ~kv 

^         IF        i  t^X    -A- 

_J                n 

**          it       ol                                    it 

f             ■    u              4  5     It 

a     _vi-l  ■    €«U                             // 

*                ^             V    S     it 

/                      ; 

*■  l_g    3    3s;      ~e_ 

4k-  it 

— i 

*   3   §       V   t-Xv      4  - 

^tz_ 

1                         ^ 

"■   a   i        i /r AX   vZ   _ 

?    H-i 

t 

^  i  *    zra    ^-v    . 

V4- 

A 

"•  i  o^    it         it. 

M^ 

>.  I    T 

/ 

&K 

"  i 

A- 

s  i     i 

_*.                           s     /       ^       / 

—    -         h                                             u.       /                  s        / 

_. -4 

i  i1  y  ^  1TW*  rfe+YTl  \ 

^1        «s        •* 

02 


O 

w 

u 

■u 
> 

P5 
o 


0) 


o 

a 
o 


P. 
oS 

o 


—  24  —    4 

loams  or  clayey  soils.  Such  soils  sometimes  constitute  the  surface  soil 
itself,  more  frequently  form  layers  of  the  substrata  within  reach  of  the 
roots  of  culture  plants,  and  of  course  should  be  well  distinguished  from 
the  practically  impenetrable  clay  described  above,  as  well  as  from  the 
loose  silts  proper. 

The  distribution  of  the  salts  is  better  shown  to  the  eye  in  the  graphic 
form,  as  given  on  diagrams  III  and  IV.  Here  we  see  at  a  glance  that 
there  are  two  high  maxima  of  total  salts,  viz:  near  the  top  and  at  the 
base  of  the  profile,  with  a  minor  one  midway  between  in  the  case  of 
New  River;  while  in  that  of  the  Sal  ton  River  there  is  at  15  feet  as  heavy 
a  maximum  as  near  the  surface,  with  minor  increases  above  and  below. 
Another  and  very  important  point  of  difference  is  that  while  on  New 
River  there  is  no  notable  increase  of  the  common  salt  near  the  base  of 
the  profile,  on  the  Salton  the  sodium  chlorid  seems  to  increase  very 
materially,  almost  equaling  the  sulfate,  which  elsewhere  is  throughout 
the  sections  in  considerable  excess.  The  sulfate  (glauber  salt)  being 
the  least  noxious  by  far  of  the  three  salts  usually  contained  in  "alkali," 
this  is  a  strong  redeeming  feature  of  the  conditions  in  the  region.  It 
must  be  noted,  however,  that  in  both  profiles  the  common  salt  is  in 
quite  heavy  supply  near  the  surface,  constituting  one  fourth  of  one  per 
cent  of  the  soil  in  the  New  River  banks,  and  one  third  of  one  per  cent 
in  that  of  Salton  River. 

Comparing  the  total  content  of  salts  in  the  two  profiles,  we  see  at 
once  that  it  is  by  far  the  heavier  in  the  New  River  profile,  where  the 
average  content  per  acre  of  the  entire  section,  as  shown  in  the  table 
on  pages  20-21,  is  32,854  pounds;  while  the  same  on  Salton  River  is  only 
16,491  pounds,  or  just  one  half  as  much. 

The  New  River  section  is  mainly  clay;  that  on  the  Salton  is  mainly 
silt  and  sand,  but  with  an  occasional  sheet  of  clay.  It  will  be  noted 
that  wherever  such  a  sheet  occurs,  the  alkali  content  is  heavier;  in  full 
agreement  with  the  same  fact  at  the  New  River  section.  The  clay,  then, 
must  be  regarded  not  only  as  an  obstacle  to  tillage  and  root  penetration, 
but  also  as  a  prolific  source  of  alkali  salts.  Wherever  it  is  at,  or  within 
less  than  three  feet  of  the  surface,  the  land  should  be  considered  as  unsuit- 
able for  cultivation  at  this  time. 

The  conclusion  as  to  alkali  content  is  again  corroborated  by  the  shal- 
lower sections  from  which  soil  samples  were  collected  by  Mr.  Snowr; 
thus,  in  localities  Nos.  3,  6,  14,  15,  16,  17  (see  tables  below).  There 
is  also  a  decided  increase  wherever  the  silt  is  compacted  by  the  presence 
of  considerable  clay.  In  a  few  cases  only,  mostly  near  the  surface,  where 
one  would  naturally  expect  an  accumulation,  is  the  loose  silt  strongly 
impregnated  with  salts. 

Again,  in  comparing  these  two  river-bank  sections  in  respect  to  the 


—  25  — 

upper  four  feet  of  soil,  it  is  found  that  the  same  fact,  i.  e.  that  the  clay 
is  the  stronger  in  alkali,  still  holds  good,  for  the  average  is  about  two 
and  a  half  times  higher  in  the  case  of  the  New  River  clay  than  in  the 
Salton  silt,  and  the  minimum  in  the  latter  is  4,280,  against  twice  as  much 
in  the  former.  What  is  true  of  the  average  of  the  total  salts  is  also  true 
of  the  average  of  each  ingredient;  and  it  is  still  further  interesting  to 
note  that  in  general  the  same  fact  holds  for  the  next  four  feet,  which 
includes  a  depth  as  great  as  need  be  considered  in  any  agricultural 
practice. 

Disregarding  the  hard  clay  as  being  unsuitable  for  agricultural  opera- 
tions, and  looking  more  closely  at  the  silt,  it  will  be  seen  that  in  the  six 
feet  underlying  the  upper  four  the  average  of  the  total  salts  is  less  than 
one  half  as  high  as  in  the  latter;  thus  indicating  that  the  proper  treat- 
ment of  these  lands  will  be  that  of  heavy  flooding  for  reducing  the 
amount  of  salts  in  the  upper  layers  of  the  soil,  followed  by  deep-furrow 
irrigation  until  leaching  by  underdrainage  shall  become  practically 
feasible. 

SOILS  OF  THE  GENERAL  SURFACE  OF  THE  BASIN. 

Besides  the  profiles  on  the  banks  of  the  two  rivers,  soil  samples  were 
taken  in  the  open  country,  with  a  view  to  making  them  representative 
of  the  various  districts,  so  far  as  time  permitted.  In  so  doing,  the  several 
layers  of  materials  encountered  in  boring  were  taken  separately,  gen- 
erally to  the  depth  of  six  feet  when  conditions  permitted;  and  a  speci- 
men of  each  layer  was  preserved  for  analysis.  The  general  aspect  and 
ulay"  of  the  land  were  recorded,  and  the  vegetation,  if  any,  noted  and 
specimens  thereof  preserved  for  subsequent  identification,  as  possible 
indicators  of  the  strength  and  character  of  the  alkali  salts. 

PHYSIOGRAPHIC    FEATURES. 
(By  Me.  Snow.) 

"  Localities  Nos.  1,  5,  6,  7,  17,  18,  19,  and  23  represent  that  portion  of 
the  region  lying  west  of  New  River;  Nos.  1,  5,  6,  and  23  representing 
that  portion  north  of  the  proposed  townsite.  This  latter  area  is  a  level 
country  many  miles  in  extent.  The  soil  is  generally  a  hard,  compact 
clay,  and  in  spots  bears  a  heavy  growth  of  greasewood;  in  the  im- 
mediate locality  of  No.  23  there  is  a  rank  growth  of  pig-weed.  Three 
miles  from  this  point  a  27-foot  well  has  been  dug,  in  which  the  clay 
extends  to  a  depth  of  12  feet,  the  remainder  of  the  depth  being  sand. 
Localities  Nos.  17,  18,  and  19  were  south  of  the  proposed  townsite, 
near  the  Mexican  border,  and  represent  an  area  of  very  level  country 
extending  parallel  to  New  River  far  across  the  line  into  Mexico.  The 
soil  of  this  area,  also,  is  a  heavy,  compact  clay.     The  vegetation  along 


—  26  — 

the  river  and  around  the  lakes  is  very  rank  and  abundant,  but  on  the 
agricultural  land  represented  by  these  samples  it  is  scarce  and  scattered. 
Over  more  or  less  of  this  area  there  are  numerous  hummocks,  on  which 
are  found  dead  mesquit  and  greasewood  bushes. 

"  Localities  Nos.  3,  4,  8,  12,  13,  14,  15,  16,  26,  and  27  were  between  the 
two  rivers.  Localities  Nos.  3,  4,  and  8  represent  land  lying  north  of 
the  proposed  townsite,  over  which  a  hard,  compact  clay  soil  predomi- 
nates, and  all  of  which  is  without  vegetation.  Near  the  point  where 
sample  8  was  obtained  was  a  water-hole  containing  very  saline  water. 
A  dense  growth  of  trees,  particularly  willows  and  poplars,  occurs  in  the 
river-bed  at  this  point.  Samples  14,  15,  16,  and  26  were  taken  around 
the  proposed  townsite,  and  represent  a  large  body  of  level  land  lying 
near  the  center  of  the  agricultural  district.  The  land  has  but  little 
vegetation  and  is  composed  of  hard,  compact,  impervious  clay  soil. 
Sample  27  represents  a  large  area  of  so-called  l blown-out'  land  lying 
near  Blue  Lake,  and  a  larger  area  of  similar  land  lying  on  the  west 
bank  of  the  Salton  River  and  joining  the  Mexican  line  on  the  south. 
Near  sample  27  is  a  small  body  of  black-alkali  land. 

"  The  locality  represented  by  9,  11,  and  20  is  that  known  as  the  '  East 
Side  Tract,'  a  large  area  of  land  extending  from  the  east  bank  of  the 
Salton  River  to  the  sand  hills  on  the  east,  and  including  all  the  irri- 
gable lands  to  the  Mexican  line.  These  lands  for  some  distance  back 
from  the  river  are  much  broken  by  large  arroyos  which  lead  into  the 
Salton  River.  The  soil  is  generally  of  a  silty  character,  more  or  less 
mixed  with  clay  in  the  northern  part,  and  becoming  more  silty  and 
sandy  as  the  Mexican  line  is  approached.  Over  this  area  the  vegetation 
is  scarce  in  the  northern  part,  but  near  the  Mexican  line  there  is  a  rank 
growth  of  pig- weed,  saltbush,  greasewood,  arrow-wood,*  and  sand  verbena 
(Abronia) .  All  the  plants  are  to  be  found  in  this  part  of  the  country 
in  abundance,  and  reach  an  enormous  size. 

"  The  country  represented  by  localities  Nos.  21  and  22  lies  in  Mexico, 
and  consists  of  a  loose,  pervious,  silty  soil,  which  is  overflowed  annually 
by  the  waters  of  the  Colorado  River.  The  vegetation  in  these  localities 
is  very  rank  and  abundant." 

*By  this  name  are  indicated  two  different  plants;  see  list,  p.  42. 


—  27  — 

TABLE  VII.    Alkali  Salts  in  Soils  Contiguous  to  New  River,  San  Diego  County. 

Locality  No.  1— T.  14  S.,  R.  14  E.,  Sec.  6. 


o 

•B 

B 


cr 
►J. 
o 

pr 

S3 


Percentages. 


GO 


B 
o 


C 
P 
hi 

o- 
o 

B 


O 
BJ 
O 
(-■• 
Oi 
on 


o 


Physical 
Characteristics. 


Potinds  per  Acre. 


c 


a 

>-1 

cr 
o 

B 
P 


C 

t— • 
o 


o 


12 
24 

36 

48 
60 

72 


12 

.218 

12 

.090 

12 

.026 

12 

.092 

12 

.136 

12 

.155 

.005 
.013 
.019 
.014 
.007 
.015 


.001 
.004 
.003 


.001 
.004 


.224 
.107 
.046 
.106 
.144 
.174 


...  Silt;  loose ... 
.  Silt ;  very  fine  . 

ditto 

ditto 

Silt;  some  sand 
ditto 


Total  for  vertical  section 


8,720 
3,600 
1,040 
3,680 
5,440 
6,200 


28,680 


200 
520 
760 
560 
280 
600 


2,920 


40 

160 

40 


40 
160 


440 


8,960 
4,280 
1,840 
4,240 
5,760 
6,960 


32,040 


Locality  No.  3— T.  12  S.,  R.  13  E.,  Sec.  36. 


10 

10 

.767 

.010 

.157 

.934 

22 

12 

.995 

.009 

.392 

1.396 

36 

14 

.172 

.012 

.010 

.194 

Total  for  vertical  section 


Clav;  slightlv  compact 

..... ditto 

ditto 


25,567 

39,800 

8,026 

333 

360 
560 

5,233  1 
15,680 
467 

73,393 

1,253 

21,380 

31,133 

55,840 
9,053 

96,026 


Locality  No.  4— T.  13  S.,  R.  14  E.,  Sec.  5. 


12 

12 

.755 

.013 

.318 

1.086 

24 

12 

.179 

.012 

.019 

.210 

36 

12 

.081 

.012 

.005 

.098 

48 

12 

.057 

.012 

.009 

.078 

60 

12 

.063 

.016 

.009 

.088 

Total  for  vertical  section 


Silt;  very  fine  .. 

ditto 

ditto 

ditto 

ditto 


30,200 

520 

12,720 

7,160 

480 

760 

3,240 

480 

200 

2,280 

480 

360 

2,520 

640 

360 

45,400 

2,600 

14,400 

43,440 
8,400 
3,920 
3,120 
3,520 

62,400 


Locality  No.  5— T.  12  S.,  R.  13  E.,  Sec.  33. 


12 

12 

.254 

.020 

.014 

.288 

16 

4 

.079 

.010 

.033 

.122 

30 

14 

.105 

.007 

.014 

.126 

42 

12 

.081 

.012 

.014 

.107 

54 

12 

.095 

.014 

.009 

.118 

72 

18 

.120 

.006 

.014 

.140 

Total  for  vertical  section 


Silt;  very  loose 

ditto 

_  ditto  . 

ditto ._ 

...ditto 

Clay;  compact 


10,160 

800 

560 

1,053 

133 

440 

4,900 

327 

653 

3,240 

480 

560 

3,800 

560 

360 

7,200 

360 

840 

30,353 

2,660 

3,413 

11,520 
1,626 
5,880 
4,280 
4,720 
8,400 


36,426 


Locality  No.  6— T.  13  S.,  R.  14  E.,  Sec.  18. 


12 

12 

.070 

.046 

trace 

.116 

18 

6 

.244 

.008 

trace 

.253 

32 

14 

.140 

.008 

.140 

.288 

44 

12 

.063 

.009 

.002 

.074 

60 

16 

.058 

.019 

.002 

.079 

72 

12 

.062 

.010 

trace 

.072 

Total  for  vertical  section 


116  -Silty  clay ;   compact. 


.Silty  clay;  loose. .. 
.Clay;   very  compact. 

Silt ;  very  loose 

_.  .  ditto 

ditto 


2,800 

1,840 

4,880 

160 

6,534 

373 

2,520 

360 

3,100 

993 

2,840 

40 

22,674 

3,766 

trace 

trace 

6,533 

80 

107 

trace 


4,640 
5,040 
13,440 
2,960 
4,200 
2,880 


6.720  '     33,160 


—  28 


P 
a 

cd 

OO 


o 

P 

CO 


p 

o 

p- 

CD 


TABLE  VII— Continued. 

Locality  No.  7— T.  13  8.,  R.  13  E.,  Sec.  11. 


Percentages. 


P 


o 
p 

c 
o 

B 
P 


P* 
»— < 

o 

i-s 
»-" 
CL 
t» 


o 


Physical 
Characteristics. 


Pounds  per  Acre. 


CO 

P 


o 
p 

o* 
o 
P 
P 

CD 

03 


a 
p; 
o 


H 
o 


6 

.862 

.019 

.276 

1.157 

6 

.317 

.008 

.239 

.564 

4 

.335 

.010 

.009 

.354 

2 

.427 

.009 

.117 

.553 

12 

.151 

.001 

.047 

.205 

12 

.165 

.011 

.014 

.190 

6 

.111 

.012 

.023 

.146 

3 

.185 

.009 

.028 

.222 

2 

.121 

.010 

.019 

.150 

3 

.279 

.014 

.033 

.326 

16 

.061 

.013 

.014 

.088 

6 
12 
16 
18 
30 
42 
48 
51 
53 
56 
72 


Total  for  vertical  section 


...Silty  clay;    loose... 

Clay;  compact 

Silt;  loose 

ditto.. 

ditto 

ditto 

ditto 

.Silty  clay ;    compact. 
...Silty  clay;  loose... 

Clay;  compact 

.. .Silty  clay;  loose... 


17,240 
6,340 
4,466 
2,846 
6,040 
6,600 
2,220 
1,850 
807 
2,790 
3,253 


380 

160 

134 

60 

280 

440 

240 

90 

67 

140 

693 


5,520 
4,780 
120 
780 
1,880 
560 
460 
280 
126 
330 
747 


54,452   2,684 


15,583 


23,140 
11,280 
4,720 
3,686 
8,200 
7,600 
2,920 
2,220 
1,000 
3,260 
4,693 


72,719 


Locality  No.  8- 

-T.  13  S., 

R.  14  E. 

,  Sec.  6. 

12 
24 

12 
12 

.097 
.903 

.014 
.002 

.017 
.173 

.128 
1.078 

....Silt. 
....Silt. 

3,880 
36,120 

560 
80 

680 
6,920 

5,120 
43,120 

Total  for  vertical  section 

40,000 

640 

7,600 

48,240 

Locality  No.  14— T.  15  S.,  R.  13  E.,  Sec.  13. 


4 

4 

.731 

.007 

.075 

.813 

16 
30 
40 

12 
12 
10 

.642 
.423 
.301 

.012 
.013 
.013 

.211 
.154 
.150 

.865 
.590 
.464 

56 

16 

.335 

.012 

.323 

.670 

68 

72 

12 
6 

.388 
.592 

.009 
.009 

.103 

.080 

.500 
.681 

Total  for  vertical  section 


j  Clay;    somewhat  j 
|  compact.  j 

ditto 

.... ditto 

Clay;  compact. .. 

Clay ;    somewhat 
compact. 

ditto 

ditto 


9,747 

93 

25,680 
16,920 
10,033 

480 
520 
433 

17,867 

640 

15,520 
11,840 

360 
180 

107,607 

2,706 

1,000 

8,440 
6,160 
5,000 

17,226 

4,120 
1,600 


43,546 


10,840 

34,600 
23,600 
15,466 

35,733 

20,000 
13,620 


153,859 


Locality  No.  15— T.  15  S.,  R.  14  E.,  Sec.  16. 


12 

12 

.249 

.005 

1.928 

2.182 

24 

12 

.621 

.003 

1.076 

1.700 

36 

12 

.476 

.025 

.497 

.998 

48 

12 

.396 

.021 

.181 

.598 

60 

12 

.399 

.019 

.170 

.588 

72 

12 

.245 

.015 

.070 

.330 

Clay;  lumpy.. 


.ditto 

ditto 

Clav;  compact. 

ditto 


Total  for  vertical  section 


9,960 
24,840 
19,040 
15,840 
15,960 

9,800 


200 
120 
1,000 
840 
760 
600 


93,440  i  3,520 


77,120 

43,040 

19,880 

7,240 

6,800 

2,800 


156,880 


87,280 
68,000 
39,920 
23,920 
23,520 
13,200 


255,840 


Locality  No.  16— T.  15  8.,  R.  14  E.,  Sec.  18.    (Imperial.) 


12 

12 

.478 

.007 

.013 

.498 

72 

12 

.243 

.019 

.006 

.268 

72 

72 

.562 

.012 

.018 

.592 

.498  j Clay;  lumpy. 

Clay;  compact 


Total  for  vertical  section 


19,120  i 
9,720 


280  j  19,920 
760    240 


134,880   2,880 


134,880  j  2,880 


39,420 
10,720 


4,320  ;  142,080 


4,320   142,080 


—  29 


TABLE  VII— Continued. 

Locality  No.  17— T.  16  S.,  R.  13  E.,  Sec.  33. 


o 

a 

■a 

tr1 

& 
a 

d 

CO 
CO 

P 

go 

Percentages. 

Physical 
Characteristics. 

Pounds  per  Acre. 

a 
a 

CD 

CO 

GC 

1— • 

M» 
P 

<rt- 
<T> 
GO 

i 

Q 

P 

C 
o 
0 
P 
r* 

CD 

GO 

o 
o 

co 
■ 

! 

H3 
o 

erf- 
P 
i— i 

CO 

S3 

1— ■ 

p 
ST 

CO 

o 
p 
>-t 
a1 
o 

3 
P 

r*- 

CD 
09 

■I 

CO 

i 

i 

H 
o 

9 

9 
24 

9 
15 

.241 
.572 

.009 
.009 

.014 
.051 

.264 
.632 

Clay;  lumpy.  ... 

Clay;  compact 

7,230 
28,600 

270 
450 

420 

2,550 

7,920 
31,600 

Total  for  vfirtinal  section 

35,830 

720 

2,970 

39,520 

Locality  No.  18— T.  17  S.,  R.  13  E.,  Sec.  20. 


12 

12 

.302 

.013 

.014 

.329 

18 

6 

.575 

.015 

.426 

1.016 

30 

12 

.400 

.020 

.136 

.556 

34 

4 

.188 

.017 

.033 

.238 

46 

12 

.180 

.021 

.014 

.215 

58 

12 

.158 

.012 

.019 

.189 

72 

14 

.078 

.027 

.009 

.114 

Clay;  lumpy.. 

.Clay;  very  compact. 

Clay;  lumpy.. 

...Silt;  very  loose. 

ditto 

ditto. 

ditto 


Total  for  vertical  section 


12,080 

520 

560 

11,500 

300 

8,520 

16,000 

800 

5,440 

2,507 

240 

1,320 

7,200 

840 

560 

6,320 

480 

760 

3,640 

1,260 

420 

59,147 

4,440 

17,580 

13,160 
20,320 
22,240 
3,167 
8,600 
7,570 
5,320 


80,377 


Locality  No.  19— T.  17  S.,  R.  14  E.,  Sec.  21. 


12 

12 

.480 

.008 

trace 

.488 

24 

12 

.333 

.008 

.094 

.435 

36 

12 

.065 

.020 

.005 

.090 

42 

6 

.117 

.013 

trace 

.130 

54 

12 

.013 

.025 

trace 

.038 

66 

12 

.065 

.009 

trace 

.074 

72 

6 

.051 

.009 

trace 

.060 

.  Silty  clay;  lumpy  . 

Clay;  lumpy 

ditto 

Silty  clay ;  compact 

Sandy;  loose 

ditto 

._ ditto 


Total  for  vertical  section. 


19,200 

320 

trace 

13,320 

320 

3,760 

2,600 

800 

200 

2,340 

260 

trace 

520 

1,000 

trace 

2,600 

360 

trace 

1,020 

180 

trace 

41,600 

3,240 

3,960 

19,520 
17,400 
3,600 
2,600 
1.520 
2,960 
1,200 


48,800 


Locality  No.  21 — Mexico. 


8 

8 

.231 

.011 

trace 

.242 

14 

6 

.736 

.019 

.037 

.792 

26 

12 

.316 

.014 

.004 

.334 

38 

12 

.118 

.011 

.002 

.131 

46 

8 

.076 

.019 

.001 

.096 

55 

9 

.159 

.013 

trace 

.172 

60 

5 

.143 

.025 

.061 

.229 

72 

12 

.151 

.020 

.004 

.175 

Clay 

Clay 

Clay;  compact  .. 

ditto 

ditto 

..Silty  clay;  lumpy 

ditto.. 

ditto 


Total  for  vertical  section 


6,159 

i 
294 

14,720 

380 

12,640 

560 

4,720 

440 

2,280 

253 

4,770 

390 

2,393 

417 

6,240 

80 

54,432 

2,814 

trace 

6,453 

740 

15,840 

160 

13,360 

80 

5,240 

27 

2,560 

trace 

5,160 

1,016 

3,816 

160 

7,000 

2,183       59,429 


Locality  No.  23— T.  13  S.,  R.  14  E.,  Sec.  15. 


12 

12 

.508 

.003 

.445 

.956 

24 

12 

.652 

.003 

.215 

.870 

36 

12 

.580 

.010 

.080 

.670 

48 

12 

.424 

.005 

.066 

.495 

60 

12 

.333 

.012 

.183 

.528 

72 

12 

.617 

.009 

.131 

.757 

..  Silty  clay ;  lumpy  . 

Clay;  compact... 

ditto.. 

ditto.. 

ditto 

ditto 


Total  for  vertical  section 


20,320 

120 

17,800 

26,080 

120 

8,600 

23,200 

400 

3,200 

16,960 

200 

2,640 

13,320 

480 

7,320 

24,680 

360 

5,240 

124,560 

1,680 

44,800 

38,240 
34,800 
26,800 
19,800 
21,120 
30,280 

171,040 


—  30  — 

TABLE  VII— Continued. 

Locality  No.  26— T.  15  S.,  R.  13  E.,  Sec.  25. 


B 
o 

B" 

CO 


H 
B* 
a 

3 


B 
o 

B- 

CO 


Percentages. 


02 


O 

P 

a" 
o 
B 
P 

a 

00 


O 
BJ 

O 

>-t 

a. 

co 


H 
o 


Physical 
Characteristics. 


Pounds  per  Acre. 


03 

B 


O 
P 
>-» 

c 
o 
B 
P 
«-t- 
(t> 
co 


O 

B* 
o 

co 


4 

16 
28 
40 
52 
64 


4 
12 
12 
12 
12 
12 


.138 
.362 
.200 
.163 
.165 
.129 


.007 
.004 
.001 
.016 
.004 
.006 


.009 
.098 
.065 
.033 
.023 
.019 


.154 
.464 
.266 
.212 
.192 
.154 


...Clay;  compact 

..ditto 

...ditto 

ditto 

ditto 

ditto 


1,840 
14,480 
8,000 
6,520 
6,600 
5,160 


93 
160 

40 
640 
160 
240 


Total  for  vertical  section 


42,600 


120 

3,920  I 

2,600 

1,320 

920 

760 


1,333  J     9,640 


2,053 
18,560 
10,640 

8,480 
7,680 
6,160 


53,573 


Locality  No.  27— T.  15  S.,  R.  13  E.,  Sec.  34. 


12 

12 

.044 

.012 

trace 

.056 

30 

18 

.032 

.020 

trace 

.052 

36 

6 

.001 

.024 

trace 

.025 

42 

6 

.032 

.017 

.005 

.054 

54 

12 

.027 

.011 

trace 

.038 

66 

12 

.092 

.012 

.014 

.118 

72 

6 

.195 

.016 

.037 

.248 

Total  for  vertical  section 


..  Silt;  loose  .. 

ditto 

.Clay ;  lumpy. 
..  Silt;  loose  .. 

ditto 

ditto 

ditto..... 


1,760 
1,920 
20 
640 
1,080 
3,680 
3,900 


13,000 


480 

trace 

1,200 

trace 

480 

trace 

340 

100 

440 

trace 

480 

560 

320 

740 

3,740 

1,400 

2,240 
3,120 
500 
1,080 
1,520 
4,720 
4,960 


18,140 


TABLE  VIII.     Summary  Table,  showing  Soluble  Salts  to  Depth  of  4  Feet. 

Region. 


New  River 


Locality. 


Pounds  per  Acre. 


Sulfates.     I  Carbonates. 


Chlorids. 


Total. 


1 

4 

5 

6 

7 .. 

14 

15 

16 

18 

19 

21 

23 

26 

27 

Average  . 
Minimum 
Maximum 


17,040 
42,880 
21,253 
17,509 
45,752 
71,313 
69,680 
89,920 
30,340 
37,720 
43,579 
96,560 
35,240 
4,880 


44,547 

4,880 

96,560 


2,040 
1,960 
3,020 
2,977 
1,694 
2,036 
2,160 
1,920 
2,780 
1,200 
2,024 
840 
1,039 
2,720 


2,028 

840 

3,020 


240 

14,040 

2,393 

6,640 

14,100 

29,213 

148,280 

2,847 

16,527 

3,960 

1.007 

32|240 

8,573 

100 


20,011 
100 

148,280 


19,320 

58,880 

25,666 

27,026 

61,546 

102,372 

219,120 

94,787 

49,627 

42,880 

46,610 

119,640 

44.852 

7,700 


66,586 

7,700 

219,120 


—  31  — 


TABLE  IX.    Alkali  Salts  in  Soils  Contiguous  to  Salton  River. 
Locality  No.  2— T.  13  S.,  R.  14  E.,  Sec.  4. 


o 

a> 

tf 

**• 

s 
a 
V 
a 

DO 

& 
o 

*t 

tt 
en 

CO 

a 
a 

& 

CD 

Percentages. 

Physical 
Characteristics. 

Pounds  per  Acre. 

Sulfates  

o 

H 
& 

o 

3 
?o 

0> 

oo 

o 

Dj 
CO 

i 
i 

Total 

Sulfates 

V 
o 

a 

ro 

o 

(3* 
O 

Si 

CO 

o 

P 

48 

48 

.072 

.008 

.014 

.094 

Clay;  compact 

11,520 

1,280 

2,240 

15,040 

Locality  No.  9-T.  13  8.,  R.  15  E.,  Sec.  2. 


6 

6 

.343 

.014 

.075 

.432 

18 

12 

.623 

.016 

.117 

.756 

30 

12 

.444 

.017 

.145 

.606 

36 

6 

.333 

.013 

.098 

.444 

48 

12 

.120 

.013 

.047 

.180 

60 

12 

.258 

.014 

.220 

.492 

72 

12 

.115 

.013 

.103 

.231 

.  ..Clay;  lumpy 

Clay ;  very  compact . 
ditto 

ditto   

..  Silt;  some  sand  ... 

Clay ;  very  compact . 

ditto 


Total  for  vertical  section 


6,860 

280 

1,500 

24,920 

640 

4,680 

17,760 

680 

5,800 

6,660 

260 

1,960 

4,800 

520 

1,880 

10,320 

580 

8,800 

4,600 

520 

4,120 

75,920 

3,480 

28,740 

8,640 
30,240 
24,040 

8,880 

7,200 
19,680 

9,240 


108,120 


Locality  No.  10— T.  13  S.,  R.  16  E.,  Sec.  6. 


11 

11 

.118 

.006 

.008 

.132 

16 

5 

.101 

.008 

.002 

.111 

30 

14 

.106 

.008 

.004 

.118  | 

36 

6 

.486 

.008 

.026 

.520  ' 

Sand ;  fine,  very  loose 
...  Sand  and  gravel 
118  ! Coarse  sand 


Total  for  vertical  section 


4,327 

220 

293 

1,683 

134 

33 

4,046 

373 

187 

9,720 

160 

520 

20,676 

887 

1,033 

4,840 

1,850 

5,506 

10,400 

22,596 


Locality  No.  11— T.  13  S.,  R.  15  E.,  Sec.  36. 


14 
23 
35 
41 
53 
57 


14 
9 

12 
6 

12 
4 


.527 
.282 
.189 
.238 
.192 
.087 


017 

.150  S 

012 

.028  i 

014 

.079 

011 

.009 

011 

.009 

014 

.009 

.694  j Clay;  shaly 

.322  I Silt ;  very  loose.... 

.282  ] ditto 

.258  i Clay;  compact 

.212    ditto. 

.110    Silt;  loose 


Total  for  vertical  section 


24,593 

793 

7,000 

8,460 

360 

840 

7,560 

560 

3,160 

4,760 

220 

180 

4,680 

440 

360 

1,160 

186 

120 

54,213 

2,559 

11,660 

Locality  No.  20— T.  16  S.,  R.  16  E.,  Sec.  22. 


32,386 
9,660 

11,280 
5,160 
8,480 
1,466 


58,432 


12 
30 
42 
54 

72 


12 
18 
12 
12 

18 


.161 
.151 

.022 
.017 


.010 
.012 


.010 
.008 


.033 
.005 

trace 
.005 


.204 
.168 


.032 
.030 


Clay;  snaly 
ditto 


Sandy 
.  ditto . 


6,440 
9,060 


880 
1,020 


400 
720 


400 

480 


1,320 
300 


trace 
300 


8,160 
10,080 


1,280 

1,800 


♦Sample  spoiled  by  becoming  wet. 

Locality  No.  22—8  miles  south  from  Sec.  8,  R.  17  E.,  Mexican  line. 


12 

12 

.224 

.012 

.001 

.237 

24 

12 

.341 

.012 

.033 

.386 

36 

12 

.376 

.012 

.014 

.302 

48 

12 

.275 

.014 

.047 

.336 

Silt;  very  fine 

ditto 

ditto 

ditto 


Total  for  vertical  section 


8,960 
13,640 
15,040 
11,000 


48,640 


480 
480 
480 
560 


1,900 


40 

1,320 

560 

1,880 


3,800 


9,480 
15,440 
12,080 
13,440 


50,440 


—  32  — 


TABLE  X.     Summary  Table,  showing  Soluble  Salts  to  the  Depth  of  4  feet  in  localities 

.    near  Salton  River. 

Locality. 

Pounds  per  Acre. 

Sulfates. 

Carbonates. 

Chlorids. 

Total. 

2           

11,520 
61,000 
48,103 
48,640 

1,280 
2,380 
2,190 
1,900 

2,240 
15,820 
11,390 

3,800 

15,040 

9.       

79,200 
61,596 
50,440 

11 .       

22      

Average. -. - 

Minimum ... 

Maximum 

42,314 
11,520 
61,000 

1,938 
1,280 
2,380 

8,312 

2,240 
15,820 

52,564 
15,040 
79,200 

Even  a  cursory  glance  at  the  preceding  tables  shows  that  the  distri- 
bution of  the  silty  and  clay  lands  is  very  much  "spotted";  for  while 
there^s  a  general  predominance  of  clay  on  the  west,  contiguous  to  New 
River,  especially  in  the  westward  bend  of  that  channel,  in  range  13, 
there  are  also  two  silt  localities  (Nos.  5  and  7)  in  the  same  range, 
together  with  localities  1,  4,  6,  8,  and  19  in  range  14.  Elsewhere  we 
find  in  ranges  14  and  15,  localities  2  and  9  with  compact  clay  soils, 
although  generally  silts  are  predominant  on  the  Salton.  Only  detailed 
mapping  can  therefore  segregate  the  several  areas;  but  each  one  can 
test  the  soil  character  easily  by  boring  or  digging,  or  preferably  by  the 
irrigation  test,  i.  e.,  noting  how  rapidly  the  water  will  penetrate  to  the 
depth  of  from  three  to  six  feet,  according  to  the  crops  it  is  intended  to 
plant.  In  the  absence  of  ditches,  water  sufficient  for  the  purpose  can 
be  hauled  to  the  spot. 

That  the  two  deep  vertical  sections  do  not  represent  the  worst  of  the 
land  is  shown  in  the  more  shallow  sections  from  near  New  River,  where 
eight  out  of  fourteen  of  the  more  shallow  sections  exceed  the  deep  sec- 
tion from  New  River  bank  in  the  total  alkali  present.  In  the  case  of  the 
shallow  sections  from  near  Salton  River,  however,  the  condition  does 
not  appear  to  be  as  bad,  for  but  one  out  of  four  exceeds  the  river-bank 
section  in  the  total  alkali  present  in  the  first  four  feet. 

In  looking  closely  at  the  lesser  sections,  as  well  as  at  those  taken  from 
the  river  banks,  there  will  be  seen  a  general  tendency  for  a  break  to 
occur  in  the  total  alkali  content  after  the  second  foot,  which  generally 
seems  to  carry  a  larger  amount  of  salts  than  the  top  foot.  This  break 
will  serve  largely  as  a  saving  clause  for  the  lands,  in  many  cases  ren- 
dering it  possible  to  reduce  the  alkali  in  the  upper  layers  of  the  soil 
below  the  maximum  of  tolerance  for  crops.  Particularly  will  this  be 
true  in  growing  alfalfa,  which  has  been  found  to  resist  a  surprising 
amount  of  alkali  when  it  is  once  well  rooted.     In  this  same  region  excel- 


—  33  — 

lent  fields  have  been  grown  where  the  soil  carried  as  high  as  110,000 
pounds  of  alkali  to  the  depth  of  six  feet,  and  79,760  pounds  to  the 
depth  of  four  feet.  The  figures  showing  the  alkali  content  of  two  of  the 
alfalfa  fields  near  Yuma  are  herewith  presented. 

Sample  28  was  taken  two  miles  south  of  Yuma  in  Mr.  C.  C.  Dyer's 
alfalfa  field. 

Sample  31  was  taken  from  the  alfalfa  field  adjoining  Mr.  Smith's  dairy, 
one  and  one  half  miles  south  of  Yuma.  The  soil  was  moist  to  a  depth 
of  5  feet. 

TABLE  XI.     Showing  Soluble  Salts  in  Yuma  Alfalfa  Lands. 


b 

CO 

V 

a 
o 
& 
<t> 

oo 

l-= 

B* 
>-" 

o 

<t> 

GO 

co 

y 

Percentages. 

Pounds  per  Acre. 

Physical 
Characteristics. 

co 

►-ta 
P 
e-t- 

<t> 

CO 

o 

P 

l-S 

O 
SO 

GO 

o 
o 

GO 

o 
w 

?o 

<-► 

CO 
fa 

a> 

CO 

o 

a" 
o 

P 

CO 
GO 

o 
o 

so 

H 
O 

p 

CO 

p 

in 

oo*  f  ..Silt;  very  loose.. 

<^  j ..ditto 

£  I ditto 

^ ditto 

12 

24 
36 
48 

12 
12 
12 
12 

.402 
.683 
.456 
.328 

.010 
.013 

.008 
.008 

.012 
.038 
.016 
.014 

.424 

.734 
.480 
.350 

16,080 
27,320 
18,240 
13,120 

400 
520 
320 
320 

480 

1,520 

640 

560 

16,960 
29,360 
19,200 
14,000 

a  i 

CO    I 

.467 

.009 

.020 

.499 

74,760 

1,560 

3,200 

79,520 

CO 
0) 

a 

eS 

' Silt;  loose 

ditto 

_ ditto .. 

__ ditto 

._  Clay;  lumpy  _. 
Silty  clay ;  lumpy 

12 
24 
36 

48 
60 

72 

12 
12 
12 
12 
12 
12 

.356 
.829 
.416 
.248 
.342 
.371 

.008 
.010 
.008 
.009 
.009 
.008 

.018 
.031 
.044 
.017 
.027 
.007 

• 

.382 
.870 
.468 
.274 
.378 
.386 

14,240 
33,160 
16,640 
9,920 
13,680 
14,840 

320 
400 
320 
360 
360 
320 

720 
1,240 
1,760 

680 
1,080 

280 

15,280 
34,800 
18,720 
10,960 
15,120 
15,440 

.427 

.009 

.024 

.459 

102,480 

2,080 

5,760 

110,320 

It  is  safe  to  say  that  much  of  the  land  near  Salton  River  will  produce 
excellent  crops  of  this  forage  plant  if  it  can  once  be  started.  The  young 
plants  of  this  crop  are  quite  sensitive  to  alkali,  and  in  most  instances  it 
would  be  necessary  to  reduce  the  salts  in  the  upper  layer  of  the  soil  by 
heavy  and  deep  irrigation  in  order  to  secure  a  stand.  It  took  four  years 
to  secure  good  stands  in  the  above  fields. 

That  it  is  possible  to  do  this  in  most  cases  on  the  Salton  River  silts 
can  be  seen  by  referring  not  only  to  the  sections  from  the  river  bankj 
but  also  to  the  lesser  sections.  In  a  previous  publication  from  this 
Station  (Bulletin  No.  133),  Dr.  Loughridge  has  shown  that  when  young 
this  plant  will  stand  in  the  neighborhood  of  12,000  pounds  of  salts. 
When  the  distribution  of  the  alkali  in  the  silt  soil  is  considered  in  con- 
nection with  the  rapidity  of  percolation,  as  shown  by  the  experiments 
previously  discussed,  the  condition  for  crop-growing  on  these  soils  seems 
quite  favorable.     There  is,  however,  a  distinct  disadvantage  in  the  case 


3— Bul.  140 


—  34  — 

of  the  silt  soil  for  crops  which  require  open  culture,  namely  the  high 
capillary  power;  which  will  tend  to  hring  up  the  alkali  rapidly  when 
exposed  to  surface  evaporation  after  irrigation.  To  successfully  culti- 
vate these  lands  and  not  experience  a  very  serious  u  rise  of  alkali,"  it  is 
very  imperative  that  they  be  at  all  times  kept  in  good  tilth  by  frequent 
and  deep  cultivation.  If  this  be  not  done  there  is  almost  sure  to  follow  a 
very  serious  alkali  condition  in  the  upper  layers  of  the  soil. 

Looking  again  at  the  tables  and  profiles,  we  find  throughout  that  the 
carbonates  are  insignificant,  and,  except  so  far  as  there  is  a  likelihood 
that  under  heavy  irrigation  they  may  be  formed  in  the  future,  can  be 
left  out  of  consideration  at  present.  As  to  the  chlorids,  the  land  near 
New  River  seems  to  carry  the  larger  amount;  which  might  be  expected 
from  what  has  been  said  heretofore.  It  shows  the  enormous  range  of 
100  to  148,280  pounds  per  acre  to  a  depth  of  four  feet;  and  when  the 
generally  high  chlorid  content  of  these  clays  is  considered,  together 
with  their  other  unfavorable  properties,  it  is  apparent  what  a  hopeless 
task  it  will  be  to  attempt  to  handle  them  successfully.  The  people  who 
have  been  unfortunate  enough  to  settle  upon  these  dense,  hard  clay  soils 
should  change  to  some  more  auspicious  location,  the  sooner  the  better. 

THE  IRRIGATION  WATER, 

A  consideration  of  the  soluble  salt  content  of  the  available  irriga- 
tion water  is  of  nearly  as  great  importance  as  a  like  consideration  of 
the  soils  themselves;  for  when  water  highly  impregnated  with  alkali  is 
used  for  irrigation  purposes,  all  the  alkali  in  that  portion  of  the  water 
which  evaporates  from  the  surface  will  be  left  in  the  land,  and  if  the 
water  be  very  bad  the  land  may  soon  become  so  highly  charged  with 
alkali  from  this  cause  alone  that  it  will  not  grow  profitable  crops.  This 
fact  is  the  more  important  in  case  the  lands  to  be  irrigated  are  them- 
selves as  heavily  loaded  with  alkali  as  those  under  consideration;  for 
the  salts  left  after  the  evaporation  of  the  water  become  an  added  evil 
with  which  to  contend,  and  may  prove  "the  straw  that  breaks  the 
camel's  back." 

It  is  not  easy  to  state  absolute  figures  as  to  what  constitutes  an  excess 
of  salts  in  water  to  be  used  for  irrigation  purposes,  for  not  only  must 
the  nature  of  the  saline  content  of  the  water  be  considered,  but  also  that 
of  the  land  to  be  irrigated.  The  far  more  variable  factor,  the  quantity 
and  frequency  of  irrigation  required,  also  demands  attention. 

Speaking  along  this  line  in  a  previous  publication,  the  Director  of  the 
Station  has  said:  "  Broadly  speaking,  the  extreme  limit  of  mineral 
content  usually  assigned  for  potable  waters,  viz:  40  grains  per  gallon, 
also  applies  to  irrigation  waters.     Yet  it  sometimes  happens  that  all  or 


—  35  — 

most  of  the  solid  content  is  gypsum  and  epsom  salt;  when  only  a  large 
excess  of  the  latter  would  constitute  a  bar  to  irrigation  use.  When,  on 
the  contrary,  a  large  portion  of  the  solids  consists  of  carbonate  of  soda, 
or  common  salt,  even  a  smaller  proportion  of  salts  than  40  grains 
might  preclude  its  regular  use,  depending  upon  the  nature  of  the  soil 
to  be  irrigated.  For  in  a  clay  loam,  or  heavy  adobe,  not  only  do  the 
salts  accumulate  nearer  the  surface,  but  the  sub-drainage  being  slow  and 
imperfect  (unless  the  land  is  underdrained),  it  becomes  difficult,  or 
impossible,  to  wash  out  the  saline  accumulations  from  time  to  time,  as 
is  readily  feasible  in  sandy  soils." 

Subjoined  is  a  table  showing  analyses  of  the  water  of  the  Colorado 
River  which  is  used  for  irrigation  purposes  in  the  region.  In  the  same 
table  are  shown  analyses  of  water  from  two  of  the  lakes,  and  of  a  well 
in  the  region,  all  the  analyses  having  been  made  by  Mr.  Snow. 

TABLE  XII.    Water  Analyses. 


Colorado  River  "  near 
Head  Gates." 


Turbid. 


Q 

~p 

o<» 
3d 

.      CD 


O  CO 
Op 


Clear. 


O 

Op 

3d 
.     CD 


*-■  P 
O  oo 

2  m. 


Blue  Lake. 


d 

CD 

•-» 

Q 
p 

o 


P 


o 
o 

© 


Well  at 

Cameron 

Lake. 


O 
>-t 

p 

m 

d 

CD 

>-« 

O 
p 

t—' 

o 


p 


o 
o 

o 


Cameron 
Lake. 


Q 

*d 

<-i 

P 

P 

i-« 

»-<• 

cr* 

3 

CO 

co 

M* 

d 

S3 

CD 

h— 

>1 

o 

Q 

P 

o 
o 
o 

o 

P 

Total  residue  by  evapora- 
tion   

Soluble  in  water  after 
evaporation _.. 

Insoluble  in  water  after 
evaporation 

Organic  matter  and 
chemically  combined 
water 

The  soluble  part  consists 

of- 

Sodium  and  Potassium 
sulfates  (glauber  salt, 
etc.) .. . 

Sodium  chlorid  (com- 
mon salt) 

Sodium  carbonate  (sal 
soda) ... 


79.73 
33.57 

38.55 

7.59 


13.65 
5.75 
6.60 

1.30 


The  insoluble  part  consists 
of— 

Calcium  and  magnesium 
carbonates 

Calcium  sulfate  (gyp- 
sum)   _ 

Silica 

Residue  upon  slight  igni- 
tion  


19.35 
6.75 

7.42 


{►21.32 

i 

J 
17.23 


3.32 
1.16 
1.27 


3.65 
2.95 


Browns. 


51.11 

33.59 
9.93 

7.59 


21.20 
6.82 
5.57 


9.35 


.58 


8.75 
5.75 
1.70 

1.30 


3.64 

1.16 

.95 


1.60<| 


.10 


Does  not 
blacken. 


26.57      4.55 


16.94 
6.42 

3.21 


2.33 
4.09 


5.55 

trace 

.87 


Blackens 


2.90 
1.10 

.55 


.40 
.70 


.95 


.15 


43.69 
23.95 
15.07 

4.67 


7.38 
4.10 

2.58 

.80 


21.22      3.64 


2.73 
trace 


1 


13.73 


j  sm. 
1.34 


.46 

trace 


2.35 
".23 
Browns. 


104.96 

78.56 

16.65 

9.75 


40.45 
23.87 
14.24 


sm 

16.36 
.29 


Blacken^ 


17.97 
13.45 

2.85 

1.67 


6.93 
4.08 
2.44 


2.80 
.05 


36 


In  connection  with  the  above  table  we  give  two  analyses  of  the 
Colorado  River  water  from  the  Eleventh  Annual  Report  of  the  Arizona 
Experiment  Station.  Each  analysis  represents  water  from  samples 
taken  over  periods  of  a  week : 


Silt  by  volume 

Silt  by  weight 

Total  soluble  solids . 

Sodium  chlorid 

Permanent  hardness ;  stated  as  calcium  sulfate 


Grains  per  U.  S.  Gallon. 


Jan.  22-28.       Apr.  25-May  1. 
Low  water.      Medium  flow. 


.392% 
.115% 


33.24 
10.26 

8.24 


These  analyses  show  the  composition  of  the  water  to  be  quite  variable 
at  different  periods  of  the  same  season  and  in  different  seasons.  It  will 
be  noted  that  the  maximum  concentration  shown  is  over  58  grains  of 
soluble  salts  per  gallon  when  the  water  is  at  a  low  stage,  and  that  these 
fall  to  about  30  grains  per  gallon  during  the  period  of  medium  flow.  In 
the  Arizona  report  previously  referred  to  it  is  farther  stated  that  "the 
total  soluble  solids  were  observed  to  average  as  low  as  25  parts  per  100,- 
000  (14.5  grains  per  gallon)  for  months  at  a  time."  It  is  during  this 
time,  so  far  as  possible,  that  the  water  would  be  mainly  used  for  irri- 
gation purposes,  thus  indicating  the  water  to  be  of  fair  quality  for  use 
upon  the  silt  soils.  The  quantity  of  soluble  salts  is  influenced  by  the 
stage  of  the  water  and  by  the  seepage  from  irrigation  districts;  the  latter 
materially  influences  the  character  of  the  salts  present.  That  this  is  so 
may  be  seen  by  comparing  the  proportion  of  sodium  chlorid  present  at 
the  several  times,  for  at  one  period  (in  1900)  this  ingredient  reaches  a 
maximum  of  one  third  of  the  total  soluble  salts,  and  in  another  consti- 
tutes only  about  one  fifth.  The  carbonates  appear  to  form  about  one 
sixth  of  the  total.  While  this  water  could  be  used  with  impunity  upon 
the  silts,  it  would  but  increase  the  extremely  undesirable  saline  condi- 
tions of  the  clay  soils  of  the  region. 

Manner  of  Irrigating  Alkali  Lands. — The  manner  of  using  water  upon 
these  lands,  in  order  that  the  salts  may  not  be  brought  to  the  surface 
and  thus  increase  the  saline  condition,  especially  of  the  upper  foot,  is  of 
great  importance  in  handling  these  strongly  saline  lands.  The  general 
principle  has  been  indicated  at  several  points  in  this  publication,  viz: 
that  of  leaching  down  the  salts  in  the  soil  itself,  thus  reducing  the 
amount  of  alkali  in  the  upper  foot,  and  taking  it  out  of  reach  of  the 
tender  rootlets  of  the  young  plants  especially.  The  water  under  the^e 
conditions  should  not  be  kept  on  the  tract  for  a  less  period  than  twenty- 
four  hours,  and  for  a  thorough  leaching-down  a  considerably  longer 
time  should  be  given.     The  behavior  of  the  soil  when  irrigated  should 


—  37  — 

be  the  first  thing  tried  in  order  to  test  the  possibilities  of  successful  cul- 
tivation; taking  into  consideration  the  known  fact  that  the  rapidity  of 
absorption  ("taking  water")  gradually  increases  under  cultural  condi- 
tions, largely  because  of  the  loosening  of  the  soil  by  the  crop  roots,  as 
well  as  by  tillage. 

"  It  is  not  practicable,  as  many  suppose,  to  wash  the  salts  off  the  sur- 
face by  a  rush  of  water,  even  when  visibly  accumulated  there,  as  they 
instantly  soak  into  the  ground  at  the  first  touch.  Nor  is  there  any 
sensible  relief  from  allowing  the  water  to  stand  on  the  land  and  then 
drawing  it  off;  in  this  case  also  the  salts  soak  down  ahead  of  the  water, 
and  the  water  standing  on  the  surface  remains  almost  unchanged.  In 
very  pervious  soils,  and  in  the  case  of  white  alkali,  the  washing-out  can 
often  be  accomplished  without  special  provision  for  underdrainage,  by 
leaving  the  water  on  the  land  sufficiently  long.  But  the  laying  of 
regular  underdrains  greatly  accelerates  the  work,  and  renders  success 
certain."* 

After  the  salts  have  been  washed  down  so  as  to  relieve  the  surface 
soil  of  any  excess  injurious  to  the  germination  of  seeds  or  the  life  of 
young  seedlings,  irrigation  by  flooding  must,  except  in  the  case  of  crops 
that  fully  shade  the  ground,  be  practiced  only  at  long  intervals,  if 
at  all.  To  prevent  the  "rise  of  the  alkali"  that  is  sure  to  follow 
continued  surface  flooding,  the  water  should  thereafter  be  applied  in 
deep  furrows,  from  which  the  water  will  chiefly  soak  downward  and 
sideways  only,  and  preferably  not  rise  to  the  surface  at  all.  Evapo- 
ration from  the  soil  surface  is  the  cause  of  the  accumulation  of  the  salts  at 
and  near  that  surface;  to  prevent  it  it  is  necessary  to  avoid  wetting  the 
latter,  and  this  is  best  brought  about  by  deep-furrow  irrigation,  which, 
at  the  same  time,  allows  of  a  considerable  saving  of  water,  while  tending 
to  deepen  the  root-system  and  so  to  bring  it  out  of  reach  of  the  destructive 
heat  and  drought  of  summer. 

Diagram  V  illustrates  the  manner  in  which  irrigation  water  can  be 
used  so  as  to  prevent  its  reaching  the  surface  to  any  such  extent  as  to 
cause  a  serious  amount  of  evaporation.  The  solid  lines  represent  the 
manner  of  penetration  of  water  from  furrows  8  inches  deep,  as  actually 
observed  at  the  Southern  California  substation  near  Pomona  (see  Bul- 
letin No.  138,  page  38)  in  two  different  soils,  of  which  the  heavier  (to 
the  left)  resembles  most  nearly  in  texture  the  silt  and  loam  soils  of  the 
Salton  Basin.  The  dotted  lines  show  the  effects  that  would  have  been 
produced  had  the  furrow  been  made  deeper  to  the  extent  of  7  inches;  in 
which  case  the  water  would  have  reached  the  surface  only  at  the  edges 
of  the  furrows,  so  that  when  these  are  subsequently  closed  by  plowing 
there  would  be  practically  no  surface  evaporation,  and  no  after-cultiva- 
tion would  be  required  to  prevent  crusting-over. 

*  Bulletin  No.  128,  California  Experiment  Station. 


38  — 


It  is  evident  that  with  the  proper  implements  for  the  purpose, 
such  deep-furrow  irrigation,  to  prevent  the  re-ascent  of  alkali  near 
the  surface,  could  be  made  a  ready  means  of  utilizing  a  large  proportion 
of  the  alkali  lands  here  in  question  without  any  difficulty,  and  with  a 

Clay  Loam.  Sandy  Loam. 


Zit.     1ft.      0 


lit.      lit 


I'.hSt 


7Z  HOURS  AFTER  IRRIGATION 
Diagram  V.    Percolation  experiments.    Spread  of  water  from  deep 
furrows  in  heavy  and  light  soils. 

material  saving  of  water  and  cost  of  surface  cultivation,  in  addition  to 
the  advantages  secured  in  the  deeper  penetration  of  the  roots  into 
materials  which,  as  the  sections  of  the  river  banks  show,  are  but  very 
slightly  tainted  with  alkali  salts. 

Of  course,  this  method  is  best  applicable  to  crops  grown  in  rows,  as 


—  39  — 

orchards  and  vineyards,  sorghum,  corn,  etc.  For  broadcast  crops  it  can 
only  be  used  in  rather  pervious  soils,  which  can  be  irrigated  by  lateral 
seepage  when  laid  off  in  "lands"  of  a  width  proportionate  to  the  rapidity 
of  water-penetration.  In  the  Mussel  Slough  district  such  lands  are  made 
about  50  feet  wide;  but  as  the  soils  here  in  question  are  not  nearly  as 
open,  they  would  have  to  be  made  narrower.  By  following  this  method 
carefully  and  intelligently,  most  of  the  lands  of  the  silty  character  can 
probably  be  successfully  cultivated  to  crops  not  too  sensitive  to  alkali, 
provided  they  are  not  underlaid  at  too  shallow  a  depth  by  the  impervious 
clay;  as  is  frequently  the  case  between  the  two  rivers.  The  clay  will  of 
course  arrest  the  alkali-laden  irrigation  water  in  its  downward  course, 
and  thus  from  a  depth  of  a  few  feet  it  will  be  constantly  reascending 
toward  the  surface.  Such  land  will  be  hard  to  cultivate  successfully 
without  actual  underdrainage,  except  to  the  hardiest  crops,  such  as 
sorghum,  barley,  and  shallow-rooted  plants  generally.  Alfalfa  can 
hardly  be  a  success  on  land  having  the  clay  within  less  than  five  feet; 
for  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  are  ordinary  depths  of  penetration  for  its  roots. 
When  the  clay  layer  is  not  of  great  thickness  and  is  underlaid  by  silty 
materials,  success  in  tree-planting  may  be  attained  by  blasting  with 
giant  powder;  as  is  commonly  done  with  hardpan  of  other  kinds,  when 
a  good  soil  material  is  known  to  lie  beneath.  In  the  case  of  alfalfa, 
modiola,  and  other  plants  which  eventually  cover  and  shade  the  ground 
very  fully,  the  evaporation  through  the*  roots  and  leaves  will  largely  prevent 
the  rise  of  the  alkali,  even  when  flooding  is  practiced. 

It  is  clear  that,  in  this  region  at  least,  no  farmer  can  afford  to  be 
ignorant  of  the  undersoil  conditions  upon  his  land;  and  if  heavy  irriga- 
tion is  practiced,  he  should  make  absolutely  sure  by  personal  observation 
that  the  soil  is  actually  being  wetted  to  the  depth  of  five  or  six  feet,  and 
note  how  long  it  takes  to  bring  about  this  wetting.  Such  examination 
can  be  made  either  by  means  of  a  long-shafted  posthole  auger  or  two- 
inch  carpenter's  auger;  or  more  quickly,  after  some  practice  has  been 
acquired,  by  the  use  of  a  pointed  prod  made  of  quarter-inch  square 
steel,  with  a  loop  for  a  cross-handle,  which  can  be  pushed  down  by 
twristing  it  slightly  alternately  in  opposite  directions.  This  rod  also 
serves  admirably  for  preliminary  tests  of  the  subsoil  in  the  examination 
of  lands. 

Drainage. — The  natural  slope  of  these  lands  toward  Mesquit  Lake,  as 
shown  by  the  contour  lines  of  the  map,  together  with  the  good  percola- 
tive  power  of  the  lighter  silty  and  sandy  lands,  renders  the  leashing  of 
their  salts  into  drainage  ditches  running  toward  the  lake  perfectly 
feasible,  and  simplifies  the  problem  of  ultimate  successful  cultivation.* 

*In  studying  the  contour  lines  on  the  map  it  should  be  noted  that  the  small  figures 
appearing  on  these  lines  do  not  indicate  directly  the  elevation  above  the  sea,  but  only 
the  relative  altitude  of  the  several  points.  The  point  of  reference  used  is  1,000  feet  above 
sea  level,  and  the  true  altitude  (or  rather  depression)  can  be  found  by  deducting  1,000 
from  these  figures. 


—  40  — 

For  the  permanent  betterment  of  the  lands,  those  interested  should, 
by  community  action,  devise  a  thorough  system  of  drainage.  Such  a 
system  might  at  the  beginning  be  a  number  of  deep  ditches,  into  which 
the  alkali-charged  seepage-water  could  enter  from  flooded  areas,  until 
the  far  preferable  plan  of  tiling  could  be  profitably  introduced. 

An  illustration  in  point  obtains  in  the  case  of  the  Patterson  ranch,  at 
Oxnard,  a  portion  of  which  became  much  "  salt-stricken,"  but  where,  after 
the  construction  of  a  deep  drainage  canal  into  which  were  led  laterals, 
there  was,  and  is,  a  constant  removal  of  the  accumulated  salts  at  a 
surprisingly  rapid  rate. 

VEGETATIVE  CHARACTERISTICS  OF  THE  S ALTON  BASIN. 

That  the  vegetation  of  any  region  supplies  important  information 
concerning  its  agricultural  adaptations  is  so  well  known  in  practice  as 
not  to  require  discussion.  It  is  especially  instructive  in  its  application 
to  alkali  lands;  and  Mr.  Snow  was  therefore  instructed  to  observe  and 
collect  for  determination  specimens  of  all  the  plants  to  be  found  on  the 
territory  explored  by  him. 

"While  the  adaptation  or  non-adaptation  of  particular  alkali  lands 
to  certain  cultures  may  be  determined  by  sampling  the  soil  and  subject- 
ing the  leachings  to  chemical  analysis,  it  is  obviously  desirable  that 
some  other  means,  if  possible  available  to  the  farmer  himself,  should  be 
found  to  determine  the  reclaimability  and  adaptation  of  such  lands  for 
general  or  special  cultures.  The  natural  plant  growth  seems  to  afford 
such  means,  both  as  regards  the  quality  and  quantity  of  the  saline 
ingredients.  The  most  superficial  observation  shows  that  certain  plants 
indicate  extremely  strong  alkali  lands  where  they  occupy  the  ground 
alone;  others  indicate  preeminently  the  presence  of  common  salt;  the 
presence  or  absence  of  still  others  forms  definite  or  probable  indications 
of  reclaimability  or  non-reclaimability.  Many  such  characteristic 
plants  are  well  known  to  and  readily  recognized  by  the  farmers  of  the 
alkali  districts.  'Alkali  weeds'  are  commonly  talked  about  almost 
everywhere;  but  the  meaning  of  this  term — i.  e.,  the  kind  of  plant  desig- 
nated thereby — varies  materially  from  place  to  place,  according  to 
climate  as  well  as  to  the  quality  of  the  soil.  Yet  if  these  characteristic 
plants  could  be  definitely  observed,  described,  and  named,  while  also 
ascertaining  the  amount  and  kind  of  alkali  they  indicate  as  existing  in 
the  land,  lists  could  be  formed  for  the  several  districts,  which  would 
indicate,  in  a  manner  intelligible  to  the  farmer  himself,  the  kind  and 
degree  of  impregnation  with  which  he  would  have  to  deal  in  the 
reclamation  work,  thus  enabling  him  to  go  to  work  on  the  basis  of  his 
own  judgment,  without  previous  reference  to  this  Station."  * 

The  season  at  which  the  exploration  took  place  (Christmas  vacation) 

*  Bulletin  No.  128,  California  Experiment  Station,  p.  35. 


—  41  — 

was  of  course  unfavorable  to  the  finding  of  all  the  kinds  of  plants  that 
might  occur  somewhat  later.  Only  twenty-two  species  in  all  were  col- 
lected, and  these  were  submitted  for  determination  to  Mr.  Joseph  Burtt 
Davy,  Assistant  Botanist  to  the  Station.  Mr.  Davy's  results  and  com- 
ments are  given  herewith,  together  with  the  annotations  of  Mr.  Snow, 
placed  in  brackets. 

ANNOTATED  LIST  OF  PLANTS  FROM  THE  SALTON  BASIN. 

(Collected  by  F.  J.  Snow.) 
By  Jos.  Burtt  Davy,  Assistant  Botanist. 

CRUCIFERiE. 

1.  Lepidium  lasiocarpum,  Nutt.     Pepper-cress. 

Five  miles  south  of  proposed  townsite.     [Very  abundant  near  Mexican  line.] 

Salton  River,  near  Patton's  camp.     [Abundant  in  scattering  places.] 

T.  13,  R.  15.     [Scarce,  except  in  small  patches.] 

Mexico:  15  miles  from  line.     [Scarce.] 

A  common  desert  annual,  probably  tolerant  of  some  alkali,  as  are  many  other 
species  of  the  genus,  but  not  necessarily  indicative.  It  is  sometimes  found  also  in 
moist  alluvial  soils,  and  ranges  from  Santa  Barbara  through  the  Mojave  plateau 
region  and,  east  of  the  Sierra,  northward  to  Keeler. 

ZYGOPHYLLACEiE. 

2.  Larrea  tridentata  (  DC  .)  Coville.     Creosote-bush. 

Along  Salton  River.  [Abundant  in  places  along  the  river.  Very  abundant  toward 
Mexican  line.] 

Locality  9,  T.  13,  R.  15.     [A  few  scattering  live  bushes.] 

Mexico:  15  miles  from  line.  [A  few  bushes.  Becomes  very  abundant  near 
Mexican  line  along  Salton  River.] 

One  of  the  most  characteristic  desert  plants,  occurring  almost  throughout  the 
Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  the  bottom  of  Death  Valley  about  300  feet  below  sea  level 
to  an  altitude  of  5,500  feet  in  the  Panamint  Mountains.  It  is  not  an  alkali  plant, 
and  usually  grows  on  well-drained  soils  well  above  the  alkali  line ;  but  at  its  lower 
limit  a  few  scattered  specimens  are  often  found  in  the  Atriplex  polycarpa  belt,  in  a 
mixture  of  gravel  and  clay  with  some  visible  trace  of  alkali. 

LEGUMINOS.E. 

3.  Astragalus  mortoni,  Nutt.     Morton's  loco-weed;  ' ' Loco- weed  "  ;  "  Wild  pea." 

Salton  River  bed;  "if  cattle  eat,  will  go  crazy."     [Scattering  plants  along  the 
river-bed.] 
New  River  bed.     [A  number  of  plants  near  north  end  of  river-bed.] 

Moist  grounds  along  the  eastern  base  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  in  the  vicinity  of  Mono 
Lake,  and  northward  to  the  interior  of  Oregon  and  Utah.  Well  known  as  "  a  deadly 
sheep  poison."  We  have  no  information  as  to  its  tolerance  of  alkali,  but  other 
species  of  the  genus  are  characteristic  alkali  plants. 

4.  Prosopis  juliflora  (Swartz)  DC.     Mesquit-tree ;  Algaroba;  Honey  mesquit. 

Near  Mexican  line— a  few  miles  from  Blue  Lakes.     [Abundant.] 

Characteristic  of  desert  areas  with  moist  subsoil.  It  sometimes  occurs  on  the  edge 
of  alkali  marshes  in  company  with  Atriplex  canescens  and  Sueeda  suffrutescens,  where 
a  slight  alkali  efflorescence  or  thin  crust  occurs,  but  above  the  heavily  alkaline  soils, 
though  below  the  Atriplex  polycarpa  belt.  I  have  found  it  in  somewhat  alkaline 
soils  near  Bakersfield.  Though  tolerant  of  some  alkali,  it  is  not  an  alkali  indicator. 
Its  altitudinal  range  varies  from  328  feet  below  sea  level,  to  5,650  feet  above. 


—  42  — 

FICOIDE^E. 

5.  Sesuvium  portulacastrum,  L.     Lowland  purslane. 

New  River  channel.  [Found  at  the  north  end  of  New  River  channel;  but  few 
plants  to  be  seen  elsewhere.) 

A  very  characteristic  plant  of  moist  alkali  and  saltmarsh  soils  both  in  the  interior 
and  along  the  seacoast.  It  is  found  in  alkali  marshes  in  the  Mojave  Desert  and  the. 
Tulare  Valley,  and  in  the  Great  Basin  region  from  northern  Nevada  to  Colorado  and 
New  Mexico.  It  is  said  that  in  the  interior  it  often  occurs  with  much  broader  leaves 
than  is  usual  when  growing  along  the  seashore.  We  have  no  analysis  showing  the 
tolerance  of  alkali  by  this  plant,  but  it  has  been  found  growing  in  soils  so  heavily 
impregnated  with  salts  that  scarcely  any  other  plants  grew  there. 

COMPOSITE. 

6.  Bigelovia  veneta  (H.  B.  K.)  Gray.     Bigelovia. 

Ten  miles  south  of  Blue  Lakes.     [Abundant.] 

Alkali  meadow  at  monument  east  of  Salton  River.     [Abundant.] 

A  plant  of  the  Lower  Sonoran  zone,  common  in  moist  alkali  soils,  but  apparently 
not  tolerant  of  a  very  large  percentage.  In  the  Bakersfield  region  the  salt  tolerance 
of  this  plant  was  found  to  vary  from  1,800  pounds  of  salts  per  acre  to  24,320  pounds. 
It  was  not  found  in  soils  heavily  charged  with  alkali. 

7.  Baccharis  sp.  (imperfect  material).    Sausal;  Baccharis ;  (also  Arrow-wood,  in  part). 

Salton  River  bed.     [Found  only  in  river-bed  in  numerous  places.] 

Our  species  of  Baccharis  are  swamp  plants,  usually  growing  on  the  borders  of 
rivers  and  streams  or  in  "washes."  As*  a  rule  they  are  found  in  fresh  water,  but 
at  least  one  species  (not  this  one)  sometimes  occurs  in  slightly  alkaline  water.  Two 
other  species,  B.  emoryi,  Gray,  and  B.  sergiloides,  Gray  (to  neither  of  which  does 
the  specimen  appear  to  belong),  occur  in  the  Colorado  Desert  region. 

8.  Pluchea  sericea  (Nutt.)  Coville.     Cachimilla ;  Arrow-wood. 

Salton  River  bed.       \ 

New  River.  v  [Abundant  along  portions  of  the  river  channels  and  banks.] 

New  River  channel.  ) 

T.  13,  R.  15.     [Scarce.] 

i 

Reported  as  occurring  along  sandy  borders  of  streams  from  Ventura  County 
eastward  to  Utah  and  south  through  Arizona  to  New  Mexico.  Both  of  our  species 
of  Pluchea  frequent 'moist  alkali  swamps,  and  one  of  them  occurs  both  in  the 
interior  in  the  Suisun  marshes  and  in  the  saltmarshes  of  San  Francisco  Bay.  The 
amount  of  alkali  tolerated  is  evidently  considerable,  as  P.  sericea  occurs  in  associa- 
tion with  Alkali  tussock-grass  (Sporobolus  airoides  (Torr.)  Thurb.)  and  Salt-grass 
(Distichlis  spicata  (L.)  Greene)  in  the  Mojave  Desert  plateau  region. 

HYDROPHYLLACEvE. 

9.  Natna  hispidum,  Benth. 

Salton  River  bed.     [Scarce,  except  in  certain  portions  of  the  river-bed.] 

A  desert  annual,  apparently  restricted  to  the  Colorado  Desert,  and  probably  not 
indicative  of  alkali. 

BORAGINACE.E. 

10.  Coldenia  palmeri,  Gray. 

Sample  10,  T.  13,  R.  16.     [O-ri  sandy,  high  lands.     Not  very  abundant.] 

A  dwarf,  desert  perennial  occurring  on  sand-hills  along  the  Colorado  and  lower 
part  of  the  Mojave  and  adjacent  Arizona.    (Bot.  Calif.) 

11.  Heliotr opium  curassavicum,  L.     Wild  heliotrope. 

Along  Salton.  \ 

New  River.  -  [Abundant  along  the  river-bed.] 

New  River  channel. ) 

Alkali  meadow  at  monument  east  of  Salton  River.     [Abundant.] 

A  nearly  cosmopolitan  weed,  common  in  sands  of  the  seashore,  and  in  moist 
alkaline  soils  of  the  interior.  It  generally  indicates  the  presence  of  alkali  and 
moisture,  but  is  sometimes  found  in  soils  apparently  free  from  alkali. 


—  43  — 

AMARANTACE.E. 

12.  A marantus  chlorostachys,  Willd.     Pigweed. 

Salton  River  near  Patton's  camp.  [Scattering  dead  plants,  with  here  and  there 
live  plants  of  rank  growth.  To  the  west,  about  2  miles,  they  thrive  and  attain  a 
very  rank  growth.    It  is  also  found  east  of  Salton  River  near  the  Mexican  line.] 

A  semi-tropical  weed,  probably  naturalized. 

13.  A  marantus  palmeri,  Wats.     (?) 

Sample  11,  T.  13,  R.  15.     [Scattering  plants;  abundant  toward  the  Mexican  line. J 

A  desert  species,  apparently  indigenous  to  the  Colorado  Desert  and  Rio  Grande 
regions.  The  Amaranths  are  such  omnivorous,  weedy  plants  that  they  can  not  bt 
relied  upon  as  alkali  indicators. 

CHENOPODIACEJE. 

14.  Atriplex  lentiformis  (Torr.)  Wats.     Lens-fruited  saltbush. 

New  River.  [Found  scattered  in  New  River  country  ;  abundant  in  places  and  in 
river-bed.] 

Mexico:  15  miles  from  line.  [Scarce  in  this  locality  ;  but  abundant  near  Mexican 
line.] 

Alkali  meadow  at  monument  east  of  Salton  River.     [Abundant.] 

A  desert  species,  ranging  from  the  Tulare  Valley  to  the  Colorado  Desert  and  east- 
ward through  Arizona.  We  have  no  record  as  to  its  tolerance  of  alkali,  but  the  list 
of  localities  in  which  it  has  been  found  and  the  plants  with  which  it  is  associated, 
indicate  that  it  is  an  alkali  plant. 

15.  Atriplex   polycarpa    (Torr.)    Wats.      Scrub    saltbush:    called  "  Greasewood"    in   the 

Mojave  Desert,  but  not  the  "  Greasewood  "  of  the  Great  Basin  region. 
Mexico :  15  miles  from  line.     [Abundant  in  certain  localities  near  Mexican  line.] 

A  characteristic  desert  species,  ranging  through  the  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  the 
Tulare  Valley  through  the  Mojave  and  Colorado  deserts  to  the  Williams  River  in 
Arizona.  Common  in  clayey  valley  bottoms,  usually  in  dry  soils.  Analyses  of 
scrub  saltbush  soils  near  Bakersfield  show  that  its  tolerance  of  salts  ranges  from 
840  pounds  to  78,000  pounds  per  acre. 

16.  Atriplex  canescens  (Pursh)  James.     Shad  scale;  sometimes  called  "greasewood." 

Sample  9,  T.  13,  R.  15.     [Many  dead  bushes  on  small  hummocks.     A  few  live 

bushes,  which  are  very  large,  are  found  scattered  near.] 
Sample  11,  T.  13.  R.  15.     [Many  dead  bushes  are  found  in  this  vicinity.] 
T.    13,    R.    15.     [Many   dead   bushes   on   small   hummocks ;    also   scattering  live 

bushes.] 
Near  Mexican  line,  a  few  miles  from  Blue  Lakes.     [Abundant  near  the  lake.] 
Mexico :  15  miles  from  line.     [Scarce ;  but  very  abundant  near  the  line  on  Salton 

River.] 

A  common  and  characteristic  species,  occurring  in  dry  soils  both  ifi  the  Upper 
and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  in  the  Mojave  and  Colorado  deserts,  and  in  the  Great 
Basin  region  from  northern  Nevada  and  Colorado  to  New  Mexico.  It  does  not 
appear  to  reach  the  Tulare  Valley.  It  occurs  in  dry  soils,  on  mountain  slopes  at 
altitudes  ranging  between  2,300  and  4,700  feet,  and  does  not  seem  to  be  indicative  of 
the  presence  of  alkali.  Like  the  Mesquit  and  Creosote-bush,  it  is  sometimes  found 
sparingly  in  slightly  alkaline  soils  at  its  lower  limit. 

17.  Atriplex  sp.  (immature). 

Sample  8,  T.  11,  R.  14.     [A  few  scattering  dead  bushes.] 

Sample  9,  T.  13,  R.  15.     [Dead  bushes  are  found  on  small  hummocks.] 

18.  Suseda  sp.  (immature).    Saltwort;  Glasswort. 

Salton  River  bed.     [Abundant  along  the  river-bed.] 
New  River.     [Abundant  along  the  river-bed.] 

The  saltworts  are  characteristic  alkali  indicators,  and  are  not  known  to  occur 
elsewhere  than  in  moist  alkali  soils.  The  total  amount  of  salts  tolerated  has  a 
wide  range  of  variation,  running  from  3,700  pounds  to  153,000  pounds  per  acre;  but 


—  44  — 

saltwort  has  been  found  in  greatest  luxuriance  where  the  total  amount  of  salts 
was  130,000  pounds  per  acre.  The  saltworts  appreciate  more  common  salt  (sodium 
chlorid)  than  many  other  characteristic  alkali  plants,  but  appear  to  be  somewhat 
easily  affected  by  salsoda  (sodium  carbonate). 

POLYGONACE.E. 

19.  Rumex  sp.  (immature).    Dock. 

Along  Salton.     [Abundant  in  places  along  the  river  bank.] 
Salton  River  bed.     [Abundant  in  places  along  the  river-bed. J 
At  monument  east  of  Salton  River.     [Abundant.] 

Two  or  three  species  are  found  in  moist  places  in  tbe  Mojave  and  Colorado  deserts. 

GRAMINE.E   (TRUE   GRASSES). 

20.  Leptochloa  imbricata,  Thurb.    Alkali  slender-grass. 

Near  Salton  River  bed,  15  miles  from  line.     [Not  abundant.] 

Common  in  moist  places  and  alkali  plains  from  the  Tulare  Valley  through  the 
Colorado  Desert  to  Lower  California,  and  eastward  into  Mexico  and  Texas.  A 
somewhat  stout  perennial,  1  to  3  feet  high,  "  abundant  in  fields  and  gardens,  thrifty 
on  alkali  plains  and  near  soft  [salt?]  water;  abundant  in  August  and  September, 
when  alfalfa  is  dried  up ;  a  good  forage  plant,  cut  and  fed  to  animals."  {Dr.  Ed. 
Palmer.) 

GNETACE^E. 

21.  Ephedra  sp.  (immature). 

Ten  miles  from  Blue  Lakes.     [Abundant  near  the  lake  and  along  New  River  near 
the  Mexican  line.] 
Characteristic  desert  shrubs,  said  to  be  sometimes  found  in  alkali  soils. 

UNCLASSIFIED. 

22.  Dwarf  annual  (immature  and  not  recognized). 

Sample  8,  T.  11,  R.  14.     [Only  a  few  plants  to  be  found.]  * 
Sample  9,  T.  13,  R.  15.     [Only  a  few  plants  to  be  found.] 

The  list  of  plants  here  given  is  notable  for  the  absence  of  most  of  the 
species  considered  elsewhere  as  prominent  alkali  indicators.  We  miss 
at  once  the  salt-  or  alkali-grass  (Distichlis),  the  "greasewood"  of 
Nevada  (Sarcobatus)  and  that  of  the  San  Joaquin  Valley  (Allenrolfea), 
the  samphire  (Salicornia),  and  the  tussock-grass  (Sporobolus  airoides). 
Of  the  saltbushes  proper  (Atriplex)y  two  (A.  polycarpa  and  lentiformis) 
appear  elsewhere  as  species  indicating  the  probable  presence  of  consider- 
able alkali,  while  the  other  two  species  observed  are  not  known  as  alkali 
plants.  The  two  plants  that  may  be  considered  as  indicators  of  strong 
alkali,  especially  of  common  salt,  are  the  saltwort  {Suzeda)  and  the 
lowland  purslane  (Sesuvium);  their  indication  is  strengthened  by  their 
occurence  in  the  river  channels,  at  whose  level  the  profiles  (pp.  20  and 
21)  show  an  abundance  of  salt.  But  as  a  whole,  the  collection  made  does 
not  speak  of  "irreclaimable"  alkali  land,  so  far  as  we  know  their  habits. 
The  heliotrope  will  grow  luxuriantly  in  non-saline  lands,  but  also  where 
common  salt  can  be  seen  by  the  seaside.  The  creosote  bush  (Larrea), 
the  pepper-cress  (Lepidium),  the  pigweeds  (Amarantus),  the  Bigelovia 
(yellow-flowered,  sometimes  called  green  sage)  are  not  plants  addicted 
to  alkali  lands.  Taken  as  a  whole,  the  native  vegetation  does  not 
altogether  confirm  the  unfavorable  impression  derived  from  the  leach- 


—  45  — 

ing  of  the  soil  samples.  It  is  hoped  that  a  more  detailed  examination 
of  the  flora  at  a  more  favorable  season,  soon  to  be  undertaken,  will 
throw  more  light  on  these  questions. 

( !LIMATE  OF  THE  SALTON  BASIN. 

The  high  summer  temperature  and  dryness  of  the  air  in  the  Salton 
region  are  well  known,  being  in  this  respect  similar  to  the  rest  of  the 
Colorado  Desert.  While  the  thermometer  during  summer  usually  rises 
to  and  above  100°  Fahr.  (124°  having  been  recorded  twice  at  Salton 
during  1901),  the  heat  is  not  oppressive,  on  account  of  the  dryness  of 
the  air,  which  evaporates  the  perspiration  as  soon  as  formed.  The  nights 
are  usually  decidedly  cool  to  the  sensation.  The  winter  temperatures 
are  in  strong  contrast  to  the  summer  heat,  as  will  be  seen  from  the 
small  table,  given  below,  of  observations  made  by  Mr.  Snow  during 
December,  1900,  and  January,  1901.  It  will  be  noted  that  a  minimum 
temperature  of  13°  occurred  on  January  2d,  so  that  ice  two  inches  thick 
formed  near  camp.  Such  a  temperature  would  at  once  prohibit  the 
culture  of  citrus  fruits,  but  may  occur  only  locally,  on  low  ground. 
Still,  the  run  of  December  temperatures,  from  observations  all  over  the 
region,  indicates  clearly  that  " semi-tropic"  growths  will  incur  consid- 
erable risks,  unless  protected  in  winter. 

Morning  Temperatures  Observed  in  Salton  Basin  at  8  o'clock. 

1900.  1900.  1901. 

Dec.  22 23°     Dec.  27 21°     Jan.  1 ....  38° 

23 *21                28 25                 2 13 

23 t70                28 tt73                 3§ 23 

24 }24                29 28                 4 30 

25 23                30 ....  26                 5 40 

26 20                31 24                 6 30 


*  Dec.  23.    Ice  in  washpan  and  on  pond  two  inches  thick.  f  Dec.  23.    For  the  day. 

J  Dec.  24,  25,  26,  and  27.    Ice  in  ponds.  ft  Dec.  28.    For  the  day. 

§  Jan.  3.    Surveyors'  Camp  17. 

CROPS  FOR  THE  SALTON  BASIN. 

As  to  crops  for  the  silt  soils  of  this  region,  it  must  be  said  that  the  show- 
ing here  made  is  not  at  all  encouraging  for  extensive  fruit-growing  at  the 
present  time.  While  there  may  be  localities  in  the  region  which  could 
grow  the  fruits  more  tolerant  of  alkali  and  dry  heat,  yet  we  deem  it  un- 
wise at  present  to  encourage  the  planting  of  fruit,  except  the  date-palm, 
to  any  considerable  extent.  The  date-palm  would  doubtless  be  one  of  the 
fruits  which  could  be  most  successfully  grown,  taking  into  consideration 
both  the  climate  and  the  alkali  soils.  To  this  might  be  added  olives, 
figs,  table,  sherry,  and  port  grapes;  and  on  the  sandier  lands,  almonds, 


—  46  — 

peaches,  and  some  of  the  Japanese  plums  (all  on  Myrobalan  stock) 
might  be  grown.  Of  ordinary  crops,  alfalfa,  barley,  sorghum,  and  beets 
for  stock  food,  together  with  the  saltbushes,  are  those  that  will  be  most 
likely  to  succeed  before  drainage  to  carry  off  the  alkali  salts  has  been 
made  effective.  Among  the  vegetables,  the  egg-plant,  melons,  cucumber, 
carrot,  celery,  asparagus,  onion,  sea-kale,  and  New  Zealand  spinach  are 
those  most  likely  to  succeed. 

It  must  not  be  forgotten  that  high  summer  temperature  will  militate 
materially  against  the  production  of  the  ordinary  deciduous  fruits,  even 
after  the  lands  have  been  successfully  leached  of  their  alkali  to  the 
extent  necessary  to  permit  the  growth  of  such  trees.  The  effects  of  hot 
northers  upon  these  trees  in  other  parts  of  the  State  indicate  plainly 
what  is  likely  to  be  the  effect  of  the  normal  atmospheric  conditions  of 
the  Colorado  Desert  upon  them. '  The  cultural  experience  had  at  Indio 
will  be  valuable  in  determining  the  reasonable  prospects  for  successful 
culture  of  several  crops,  always  keeping  in  mind  that  the  light  sandy 
soils  of  that  portion  of  the  region,  containing  but  little  alkali  and 
easily  leached  of  what  there  is  by  flooding,  are  more  easily  handled 
than  those  of  the  alluvial  area  here  in  question. 

The  following  list  of  possible  crops  for  alkali  soils  has  been  compiled 
by  Mr.  Joseph  Burtt  Davy,  Assistant  Botanist  of  the  Station.  It 
should  be  understood  that  while  the  plants  mentioned  in  this  list  are 
all  more  or  less  alkali-resistant,  yet  the  extreme  climatic  conditions 
existing  in  the  Salton  Basin  render  the  actual  success  of  many  very 
questionable,  although  worthy  of  trial.  The  " toleration"  list  will  aid 
in  making  selections  for  experiment. 

POSSIBLE    CROPS    FOR    ALKALI    SOILS. 


EDIBLE    FRUITS. 

Strawberry  tomato  (Physalis  pubescens, 
L.). 

Cape  gooseberry  (Physalis  peruviana,  L.). 

Date-palm  (Phcenix  dactylifera,  L.).  In 
Arabia  it  is  said  to  grow  in  soil  "  strongly 
impregnated  witb  salt,"  and  that  "the 
water  for  irrigation  may  be  slightly  brack- 
ish." 

Oleaster  (Elseagnus  augustifolia  orientalis, 
Schlecht).  Produces  the  fruit  known  as 
"  Trebizonde  dates." 

Olive  (Oka  europsea,  L.).  The  Mission 
variety  should  be  first  tried. 

Black  mulberry  (Morris  nigra,  L.).  The 
Black  Persian  is  probably  derived  from 
this  species.  It  is  likely  that  other  species, 
also,  would  tolerate  alkali. 

Grape  (Vitis  vinifera,  L.),  especially  the 
southern  (sherry  and  port)  varieties. 


Golden  currant  (Ribes  aureum,  Pursh.) 
is  said  to  tolerate  an  alkaline  soil.  It  is 
also  known  as  the  Missouri,  Utah,  Utah 
hybrid,  and  Buffalo  currant.  The  best 
cultivated  varieties  are  said  to  be  the 
"Crandall,"  "  Deseret,"  and  "Jelly."  It 
is  doubtful  if  it  will  resist  the  dry  heat  of 
the  Salton  Basin. 

Alkali  currant  (Ribes  aureum  tenuiforum 
(Lindl.)  Torr.).  Grows  in  strongly  saline 
soil  in  Washington,  Oregon,  northern 
California,  and  Nevada. 

Fig  (Ficus  carica,  L.). 

VEGETABLES. 

Jerusalem  artichoke  (Helianthus  tubero- 
sus,  L.).  The  white  variety  is  said  to  be 
the  best  for  alkali  soils. 

Beet-root  (Beta  vulgaris  hortensis). 

Carrot  (Daucus  carota,  L.). 


—  47 


Spinach  (Spinacia  oleracea,  L.).  (Medium 
alkali.) 

Radish  (Raphanus  sativus,  L.). 

Celery  (Apium  graveolens,  L.). 

Celeriac  (Apium  graveolens  rapaceum, 
DC.). 

Asparagus  (Asparagus  officinalis,  L.). 

Onion  (Allium  cepa,  L.). 

Swiss  chard  (Beta  vulgaris  cicla). 

Globe  artichoke  (Cynara  scolymus,  L.). 

Cardoon  (Cynara  car dunculus,  L.). 

Tomato  (Ly coper sicum  esculentum,  Mill.)  ; 
worth  trial. 

Egg-plant  (Solanum  melongena,  L.).  Very 
hardy  against  dry  heat. 

Sea-kale  (Crambe  maritima,  L.). 

Garden  cress  (Lepidium  sativum,,  L.). 

Roselle  (Hibiscus  sabdariffa,  L.). 

New  Zealand  spinach  (Tetragonia  e.r- 
pansa,  Murr.). 

Quinoa  (Chenopodium  quinoa,  Willd.). 
The  foliage  makes  a   savorv  and   whole- 


some greens. 


STARCH   FOODS. 


Quinoa  (Chenopodium  quinoa,  Willd.). 
The  seeds  form  one  of  the  most  important 
foodstuffs  of  the  inhabitants  of  Peru  and 
Chile,  who  make  a  nutritious  porridge  of  it. 


SUGAR  CROPS. 


Sugar-beet  ( Beta  vulgaris  altissima). 
Sugar  sorghum  (Andropogon  sorghum  sac- 
charatus  (L.)  Kcern). 

OIL  PLANTS. 

Russian  sunflower  (Helianthus  annuus, 
L.). 

Niger  seed  (Guizotia  abyssinica,  Cass.). 
This  plant  is  worth  a  trial  on  alkali  soils. 

FORAGE    PLANTS. 

Root  crops: 

Jerusalem  artichoke  (Helianthus  tubero- 
sus,  L.).  Valuable  tuber  for  hogs.  The  white 
variety  seems  to  be  better  adapted  for 
alkali  soils  than  the  red. 

Mangold-wurzel  (Beta  vulgaris  rapa). 

Seed  crops: 

Russian  sunflower  (Helianthus  annuus, 
L.).  The  seeds  furnish  a  valuable  poultry 
food.  The  sunflower  is  reported  to  endure 
the  excessive  summer  heat  of  central  Aus- 
tralia better  than  any  other  cultivated 
herb  tried  there.  The  wild  form  of  this 
plant  (indigenous  to  California)  has  been 
found  to  tolerate  easily  12,500  pounds  of 
salts  in  an  acre-foot  at  Chino. 

Barley  (Hordeum  vulgare,  L.). 

Japanese  barnyard  millet  (Panicum  crus- 
galli  maximum,  Hort.). 


Pasture,  soiling,  and  hay  plants: 

Alfalfa  (Medicago  sativa,  L.). 

Saltbushes  (Atriplex  semibaccata,  R.Br.; 
A.  leptocarpa,  F.v.M. ;  A.  vesicaria,  How- 
ard ;  A.  kochiana,  Maiden ;  A.  spongiosa, 
F.v.M. ;  A.  halimoides,  Lindl. ;  A.  holocarpa, 
F.v.M.,  and  A.campanulata,  Benth. ;  Kochia 
aphylla,  R.Br.,  and  K.  pyramidata,  Benth. ; 
Rhagodia  billardieri,  R.Br.;  R.  parabolica, 
R.Br.;  R.  hastata,  R.Br.,  and  jR.  linifolia, 
R.Br. ;  Sclerolsena  bicornis,  Lindl.). 

Modiola  (Modiola  decumbens,  G.  Don). 

New  Zealand  spinach  (Tetragonia  ex- 
pansa,  Murray). 

Slough-grass  (Beckmannia  erucseformis , 
Host.). 

Alkali  tussock-grass  (Sporobolus  airoides 
(Torr.)  Thurb.) 

Alkali  slender-grass  (Leptochloa  imbri- 
cata,  Thurb.). 

Saccaton  (Sporobolus  wrigh{ii,  Munro). 

Alkali  saccaton  (Panicum  bulbosum, 
H.  B.  K.). 

Salt-grass  (Distichlis  spicata  (L.)  Greene). 

Alkali  lyme-grass  (Elymus  salinus,  Jones). 

Barnyard-grass  (Panicum  crusgalli,  L.). 

Japanese  barnyard  millet  (Panicum  crus- 
galli maximum,  Hort.). 

Switch-grass  (Panicum  virgatum,  L.). 

Nevada  blue-grass  (Poa  nevadensis, 
Vasey). 

Mexican  salt-grass  (Eragrostis  obtusiflora^ 
Scribn.). 

Wild  rye  (Elymus  condensatus,  Presl.). 

Meadow  barlev-grass  (Hordeum  nodosum, 
L.). 

Little  barley-grass  (Hordeum  pusillum, 
Nutt.). 

Creeping  bent-grass  (Agrostis  alba  stoloni- 
fera). 

Kaffir  corn,  Jerusalem  corn,  Durra,  and 
Milo  maize  (Andropogon  sorghum  sativus, 
Hack.). 

Egyptian  corn  (Andropogon  sorghum  cer- 
nuus,  Kcern). 

Teosinte  (Euchlsena  luxurians  (Durieu) 
Aschers). 

Usar-grass  (Sporobolus  orientalis,  Kth.). 

Purslane  (Portulaca,  oleracea,  L.). 

Bulbous-rooted  foxtail  (Alopecurus  bul- 
bosiis,  Huds.). 

Korean  lawn-grass  (Zoysia  pungens, 
Willd.). 

Barley  (Hordeum  vulgare,  L.). 

Bermuda-grass  (Cynodon  dactylon  (L.) 
Pers.). 

Quitch-grass  (Agropyron  repens,  Beauv.). 

Johnson-grass  (Andropogon  halepensis 
(L.)Brot.). 


48 


The  three  last-named  grasses  (  Bermuda- 
grass,  Quitch-grass,  and  Johnson-grass)  are 
liable  to  become  terrible  weeds  in  cultivated 
ground,  and  should  not  be  planted  where 
there  is  any  danger  of  their  spreading 
among  orchards  or  cultivated  crops,  nor, 
in  fact,  in  any  place  which  is  not  to  be  given 
up  entirely  and  permanently  to  pasture. 

Browsing  shrubs: 

Tea-tree  (Leptospermnm  lanigerum, 
Smith). 

Myalls  (Acacia  homalophylla,  Cunn.,  and 
A.  pendula,  Cunn.). 

Shrubby  saltbushes  (Atriplex  nummula- 
ria,  Lindl. ;  A.pamparum,  Griseb. ;  Bhagodia 
spinescens  inermis). 

PAPER-MAKING  MATERIALS. 

Esparto-grass  (Stipa  tenacissima,  L.). 
Albardin  (Lygeum  sparttim,  L.). 


SHADE  AND  ORNAMENTAL  TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 

Kazlreuteria  paniculata,  Laxm. 

Acacia  pendula,  Cunn. 

Acacia  homalophylla,  Cunn. 

Albizzia  lophantha,  Benth. 

Albizzia  lebbek,  Benth. 

Canary  date-palm  (Phoenix  canariensis, 
Hort.). 

Washington  palm  ( Washing tonia  filifera, 
Wendl.). 

Oriental  sycamore  (Platanus  orientalis, 
L.). 

Manna  gum  (Eucalyptus  viminalis, 
Labill.). 

Peppermint  gum  (Eucalyptus  amygdalina, 
Labill.). 

Red  gum  (Eucalyptus  rostrata,  Schlecht.). 

Yate  tree  (Eucalyptus  cornuta,  Labill.). 


It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  these  several  plants  are  not  equally 
tolerant  of  alkali,  and  that  local  experimentation  is  necessary  in  order 
to  determine  the  adaptation  of  each  one  to  local  conditions. 


TOLERANCE    OF    VARIOUS    CROPS    FOR    ALKALI    SALTS. 

The  subjoined  table,  originally  published  in  Bulletin  No.  133  of  this 
Station,  is  of  interest  in  connection  with  the  discussion  of  the  avail- 
ability of  the  Salton  Basin  lands  for  cultural  purposes.  For  comparison 
with  other  publications  it  should  be  remembered  that  the  calculation  of 
the  "  pounds  per  acre,"  most  readily  understood  by  farmers,  is  based  on 
the  estimated  weight  of  an  acre-foot  of  soil  at  four  millions  of  pounds. 
Hence,  one  per  cent  is  equal  to  40,000  pounds;  one-tenth  of  one  per 
cent,  4,000  pounds.  It  will  be  noted  that  the  total  of  salts  alone  is  but 
a  very  rough  criterion  of  the  possibilities  of  culture,  on  account  of  the 
very  different  effects  of  the  several  compounds  on  plants.  The  sul- 
fates (of  potash,  soda,  and  magnesia)  are  the  least  injurious,  and  happily 
predominate  widely  in  the  Salton  Basin.  Carbonate  of  soda,  though 
very  injurious  as  such,  is  easily  transformed  into  the  bland  sulfate  by 
dressings  of  gypsum.     Common  salt  is  really  the  worst  ingredient. 


49 


Highest  Amount  of  Alkali  in  Which  Fruit  Trees  Were  Found  Unaffected. 

Arranged  from  highest  to  lowest.     Pounds  per  acre  in  four  feet  depth. 


Sulfates 
(Glauber  Salt). 


Carbonate 
(Salsoda). 


Chlorid 
(Common  Salt). 


Total  Alkali. 


Grapes 40,800 

Olives 30,640 

Figs 24,480 

Almonds 22,720 

Oranges 18,600 

Pears 17,800 

Apples 14,240 

Peaches 9,600 

Prunes 9,240 

Apricots 8,640 

Lemons 4,480 

Mulberry 3,360 


Grapes  7,550 

Oranges 3,840 

Olives 2,880 

Pears... 1,760 

Almonds 1,440 

Prunes 1,360 

Figs 1,120 

Peaches 680 

Apples  640 

Apricots 480 

Lemons 480 

Mulberry..-.  160 


Grapes  9,640 

Olives 6,640 

Oranges 3,360 

Almonds  ....  2,400 

Mulberry....  2,240 

Pears... 1,360 

Apples 1,240 

Prunes 1,200 

Peaches 1,000 

Apricots ..  960 

Lemons 800 

Figs 800 


Grapes 45,760 

Olives 40,160 

Almonds 26,560 

Figs --.  26,400 

Oranges 21,840 

Pears 20,920 

Apples 16,120 

Prunes 11,800 

Peaches 11,280 

Apricots 10,080 

Lemons 5,760 

Mulberry 5,760 


Other  Trees. 


Kolreuteria  ..  51,040 

Kolreuteria  - . 

9,920 

Or.  Sycamore  20,320 

Kolreuteria. ._ 

73,600 

Eucal.  am..  ..  34,720 

Or.  Sycamore 

3,200 

Kolreuteria..  12,640 

Or.  Sycamore. 

42,760 

Or.  Sycamore.  19,240 

Date  Palms.. 

2,800 

Eucal.  am.  ..     2,960 

40,400 

Wash.  Palms.  13,040 

Eucal.  am.  .. 

2,720 

Camph.  Tree.    1,420 

Wash.  Palms. 

15,280 

Date  Palms  ..    5,500 

Wash.  Palms 

1,200 

Wash.  Palms    1,040 

Date  Palms... 

8,320 

Camph.  Tree.    5,280 

Camph.  Tree. 

320 

Camph.  Tree.. 

7,020 

Small  Cultures. 


Saltbush 125,640 

Alfalfa,  old.. .102,480 
Alfalfa,  young  11,120 
Hairy  Vetch..  63,720 

Sorghum 61,840 

Sugar  Beet...  52,640 

Sunflower 52,640 

Radish. 51,880 

Artichoke 38,720 

Carrot 24,880 

Gluten  Wheat  20,960 

Wheat 15,120 

Barley 12,020 

Goat's  Rue...  10,880 

Rye 9,800 

Canaigre 9,160 

Ray  Grass 6,920 

Modiola..  ..  6,800 
Bur  Clover...     5,700 

Lupin ..     5,440 

White  Melilot  4,920 
Celery 4,080 


Saltbush 18,560 

Barley 12,170 

Bur  Clover  ..  11,300 

Sorghum 9,840 

Radish 8,720 

Modiola 4,760 

Sugar  Beet..  4,000 

GlutenWheat  3,000 

Artichoke...  2,760 

Lupin 2,720 

Hairy  Vetch.  2,480 

Alfalfa  2,360 

Grasses 2,300 

Kaffir  Corn  ..  1,800 

Sweet  Corn..  1,800 

Sunflower  ...  1,760 

Wheat 1,480 

Carrot 1,240 

Rye 960 

Goat's  Rue  ..  760 
White  Melilot       480 

Canaigre 120 


Modiola 40,860 

Saltbush 12,520 

Sorghum  ....  9,680 

Celery 9,600 

Alfalfa,  old..  5,760 

Alfalfa,  yo'ng  760 

Sunflower...  5,440 

Sugar  Beet  ._  5,440 

Barley 5,100 

Hairy  Vetch.  3,160 

Lupin 3,040 

Carrot 2,360 

Radish 2,240 

Rye.. 1,720 

Artichoke...  1,480 

GlutenWheat  1,480 

Wheat 1,160 

Grasses 1,000 

White  Melilot  440 

Goat's  Rue  ..  160 

Canaigre 80 


Saltbush 156,720 

Alfalfa,  old...  110,320 
Alfalfa,  young  13,120 

Sorghum 81,360 

Hairy  Vetch..  69,360 

Radish 62,840 

Sunflower  ....  59,840 
Sugar  Beet  ...  59,840 

Modiola 52,420 

Artichoke  ....  42,960 

Carrot 28,480 

Barley 25,520 

Gluten  Wheat  24,320 

Wheat 17,280 

Bur  Clover....  17,000 

Celery 13,680 

Rye 12,480 

Goat's  Rue  ...  11,800 

Lupin 11,200 

Canaigre 9,360 

Ray  Grass....     6,920 
White  Melilot    5,840 


4— Bul.  140 


—  50  — 

JANUARY    CROP    REPORTS    FROM    ACTUAL    SETTLERS. 

Reports  have  been  received  from  sections  19  and  20,  in  township  14 

south,  range  15  east,  sections  29,  32,  and  33,  in  township  16  south,  range 

14  east,  and  on    land   adjoining  the  town  of  Imperial  on    the  south. 

They  show  apparent  success,  during  the  past  season,  in  growing  alfalfa, 

sorghum,  barley,  millet,  Kaffir  corn,  and  watermelons,  with  a  few  lesser 

tracts  of   garden  vegetables.     As  an  illustration  of   the  tone  of   these 

reports,  we  present  the  following  extract  from  a  letter  received  from 

Thomas   Beach,  Calexico;  a    region  which,  however,  is  outside  of   the 

worst  clay  and  alkali  belts: 

"  Between  the  last  of  June  and  middle  of  August  of  last  year  I  put  in  about  325  acres 
of  sorghum,  30  of  millet,  20  of  field  corn,  25  of  Kaffir  corn,  2  of  melons,  1  of  cotton,  and 
1  acre  of  pumpkins.  The  sorghum  was  watered  six  times  and  the  others  about  four. 
The  former  gave  about  5  tons  per  acre,  and  the  millet  yielded  2  tons ;  the  corn  did  not 
do  as  well.  I  raised  some  Rocky  Ford  melons  from  seed  ripened  the  same  year  at 
Indio,  and  can  say  that  I  never  tasted  better;  the  same  is  true  of  watermelons  and 
pumpkins.  The  ground  took  water  well,  and  during  the  summer  months  I  was  able  to 
disc  it  three  days  after  flooding.  I  now  (January  28th)  have  barley  2  feet  high  that 
has  been  watered  but  twice ;  some  alfalfa  I  sowed  on  the  20th  of  September  is  up  6  or  8 
inches  in  height,  with  roots  a  foot  long  and  has  had  but  two  irrigations." 

These  reports  do  not  in  any  sense  contradict  the  facts  stated  in  the 
earlier  pages  of  this  report;  for  it  will  be  noted  in  the  first  place  that 
these  are,  in  nearly  every  case,  alkali-resistant  crops. 

Upon  inspection  of  the  maps  and  tables  it  will  be  further  seen  that, 
in  general,  the  first  foot  of  soil  does  not  carry  the  heavy  percentage  of 
alkali  which  exists  at  a  depth  of  two  to  three  feet.  An  irrigation,  either 
just  preceding  or  just  following  seeding,  would  tend  to  temporarily 
reduce  the  alkali  in  this  upper  foot  even  below  the  amount  shown  in 
the  tables,  and  below  the  maximum  tolerance  of  the  essentially  alkali- 
resistant  plants  named  above;  and  probably  also  below  that  for  many 
of  much  less  resistant  kinds.  There  is  little  doubt  that,  at  the  outset, 
most  plants  climatically  adapted  could  be  started  with  more  or  less 
success  under  the  common  methods  of  irrigation.  These  early  results 
can  only  be  taken  as  indicating  that  the  alkali  in  the  top  foot  at  this 
time  and  in  those  localities  was  not  sufficiently  strong  to  interfere 
seriously  with  the  germination  of  seed — retardation  possibly  excepted. 

The  reports  can  not,  however,  be  taken  as  indicative  of  what  may  be 
expected  after  surface  irrigation  has  been  practiced  for  a  few  years;  for 
such  treatment  is  sure  to  result  in  the  rise  of  alkali  to  such  an  extent 
as  to  cause  serious  injury  to  the  crop  and  consequent  financial  loss  to 
the  grower. 

Mention  has  already  been  made  of  the  alkali-resistant  nature  of  these 
crops,  except  millet  and  watermelons.  In  the  case  of  the  former,  which 
is  closely  related  to  sorghum,  it  may  be  expected  to  be  quite  resistant, 
although  no  figures  are  at  hand  touching  upon  the  matter;  the  water- 


—  51  — 

melon  is  essentially  a  desert  plant,  related  plants  being  indigenous  to 
the  African  deserts.  The  growth  of  these  crops  in  these  localities 
simply  adds  weight  to  the  evidence  that  these  plants  are  quite  tolerant 
of  alkali. 

People  should  not  be  deceived  by  a  rank  growth  of  plants  in  arid 
regions,  unless  the  characteristics  of  such  plants  be  definitely  known; 
for  the  very  fact  of  the  existence  of  alkali  is  evidence  of  intrinsic 
fertility  of  the  soils,  and  crops  are  well  known  to  have  a  luxuriant  growth 
on  such  lands,  provided  only  that  the  saline  matter  is  not  present  to  such 
an  extent  as  to  approach  the  limit  of  tolerance  of  the  crops  grown. 

Notwithstanding  the  present  success  with  the  alkali-resistant  crops 
named,  residents  are  urged  to  adopt  the  methods  laid  down  in  this 
publication  as  those  which  alone  may  reasonably  be  expected  to  give 
immunity  from  alkali  damage  for  any  considerable  length  of  time. 


